English-Speaking Criminal Defence

Criminal Lawyers in Marbella

Expert English-speaking criminal defence in Marbella, Spain. RINBER Abogados available 24 hours a day.

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If you are facing criminal charges in Marbella, or you have been arrested on the Costa del Sol, the decisions made in the first few hours will have a lasting impact on your case. Spanish criminal proceedings move quickly, and without a specialist defence lawyer who speaks your language, you can find yourself at a serious disadvantage.

RINBER Abogados Penalistas has been defending clients in Marbella and across Andalucía since 1999. We have a physical office in Marbella and our team is available around the clock to respond to urgent situations. We work entirely in English with international clients — no language barriers, no misunderstandings.

Criminal Defence in Marbella: What You Need to Know

Spain operates a civil law system, which is very different from the common law systems of the UK, Ireland, the United States or Australia. Criminal proceedings are conducted entirely in Spanish, before Spanish judges, and according to the Spanish Penal Code (Código Penal). If you do not speak fluent legal Spanish, you will not fully understand what is being said about you or alleged against you — and that alone places you at a serious disadvantage.

In Spain, a detained person must be brought before a judge within a maximum of 72 hours of arrest. During this period — known as detención preventiva — you have the right to a lawyer. Exercising that right immediately, with a specialist criminal defence lawyer, is critical. The statements made during this early stage can define the entire course of your case.

At RINBER, we can be at your side within hours of a call. Our Marbella office means we are not travelling from a distant city — we are local, available and ready.

The Marbella Court System

Marbella falls within the judicial district of the Audiencia Provincial de Málaga, the provincial court that handles serious criminal cases in the province. Less serious matters are dealt with at the Juzgados de lo Penal and investigating judges (Juzgado de Instrucción) in Marbella itself and in Málaga city.

Proceedings begin with a formal investigation phase overseen by an investigating judge. Evidence is gathered, witnesses questioned and charges assessed. This phase — which can last months or years in complex cases — is often where the most important defence work takes place. Having the right legal representation from the outset allows us to challenge evidence, protect your rights and, where appropriate, seek to have charges reduced or dismissed before trial.

Most Common Criminal Cases in Marbella

Marbella is one of Spain’s most internationally recognised destinations, and its unique character — luxury tourism, a large permanent expat population, active maritime activity — shapes the type of criminal cases that arise. The most common matters we handle here include:

• Drug trafficking: The Costa del Sol is one of Europe’s primary drug smuggling corridors. Yacht and boat seizures in Marbella and nearby waters are frequent, and Spanish police and the Guardia Civil operate specialist anti-narcotics units in the area. Charges in these cases can result in very serious penalties under the Spanish Penal Code.
• Property fraud: Off-plan property scams, fraudulent conveyancing and investment fraud have affected many foreign buyers on the Costa del Sol. We defend clients accused of participation in these schemes, as well as advising victims pursuing criminal remedies.
• Assault and violent offences: Altercations in Marbella’s nightlife areas and disputes that escalate to physical confrontation are not uncommon. We defend clients facing charges from minor assault to more serious violent offences.
• Drink-driving (DUI): Spanish drink-driving laws are strict. Being stopped at a police checkpoint with a blood alcohol level above the legal limit can lead to criminal charges, licence suspension and fines — and, in repeat or serious cases, imprisonment.
• Money laundering: The luxury property and high-value goods markets attract financial crime investigations. We have extensive experience in defending money laundering cases at all levels of complexity.

Why Expats in Marbella Need a Specialist Criminal Lawyer

Marbella is home to a substantial permanent expat population — British, Scandinavian, Russian, Dutch and many other nationalities have made the Costa del Sol their home. For all of them, facing a criminal investigation or arrest in Spain presents specific challenges.

Spanish criminal proceedings are conducted exclusively in Spanish. Court documents, charges, witness statements and judicial decisions are all in Spanish. Even if you have conversational Spanish, the legal language used in criminal proceedings is technical and precise — and a misunderstanding at a critical moment can be costly.

Beyond language, the procedural rules differ significantly from those you may be familiar with. The right to remain silent works differently in Spain. Pre-trial detention rules differ. The rules on evidence, appeals and sentencing are their own. An experienced Spanish criminal lawyer who can explain all of this to you in clear English is not a luxury — it is essential.

At RINBER, we act as your guide through the entire Spanish criminal process — from the moment of arrest through to any final appeal — keeping you fully informed at every stage.

Our Marbella Office

Unlike many firms that claim to cover the Costa del Sol from a distant base, RINBER has a genuine physical presence in Marbella. This means we can attend police stations, courts and meetings in person, without delay. Our team knows the local courts, the local prosecutors and the local procedures — an advantage that makes a material difference in practice.

Our founding lawyers, Javier and Manuel Rincón Bernal, have been working across Andalucía since 1999. The firm’s headquarters are in Málaga, with offices also in Madrid and Marbella. We regularly represent clients across the whole of Spain, but the Costa del Sol is our home territory and we know it exceptionally well.

Contact a Criminal Lawyer in Marbella Now

If you or someone you know has been arrested or is under criminal investigation in Marbella or anywhere on the Costa del Sol, do not wait. The first 72 hours are critical, and every hour without qualified legal representation is an hour that the other side is using to build their case.

Contact RINBER Abogados Penalistas now:

• Phone / WhatsApp: +34 627 467 042 — available 24 hours
• Online: Use our contact form for a confidential consultation

We will respond immediately and advise you on your next steps. All consultations are confidential.