English-speaking criminal lawyers in Palma de Mallorca
CriminalLawyer.es is the English-language criminal practice of Castell Abogados, a law firm based in the centre of Palma. We defend foreign residents and visitors who are arrested or charged, and represent victims, in every court of Mallorca, Ibiza, Menorca and Formentera.
Criminal law, explained in English
Being arrested or charged abroad is frightening: a different language, a different procedure and decisions that must be taken within hours. Our work is to stand beside you from the police station to the final judgment, explaining every step in plain English and making sure your rights are respected. Our clients come from the United Kingdom, Ireland, Germany, Scandinavia, the Netherlands, the United States and many other countries, and include long-term residents, seasonal workers and holidaymakers.
The practice is led by Carlos Castell, lawyer and CEO of the Castell group, which also includes Castell Abogados and Castell.law. Our lawyers are members of the Balearic Islands Bar and work in English, Spanish and Catalan.
How we work
24/7 for arrests
Police custody does not wait for office hours. The emergency line is answered day and night, weekends included.
Direct access
You speak directly with the lawyer handling your case, not with an intermediary.
Clear fees
A written quote after the first assessment, with staged payments when needed.
Remote follow-up
Once you are home, we keep you informed by email, phone and video call and attend hearings on your behalf where the law allows.
What we handle
- Criminal defence in Spain: How a criminal case works in Spain for foreigners, from the first summons to the trial, and European arrest warrants.
- Arrest & police custody: What happens when you or a relative are arrested in the islands: your rights, the lawyer, the interpreter and the consulate.
- Court hearings & trials: Fast-track trials, plea deals, bail and pre-trial detention, and whether you can go home before the case ends.
- Sentences, records & deportation: Suspended sentences, criminal records, expulsion of foreign nationals and the impact on travel and work.
- Assault & sexual offences: Fights, assault and bodily harm, threats and allegations of sexual offences, including holiday resort cases.
- Drink driving & traffic: Drink and drug driving, refusing the breath test, speeding, reckless driving and driving without a valid licence.
- Drug offences: Possession, supply and trafficking, airport and port arrests, cannabis and the line between a fine and a crime.
- Domestic violence: Domestic and gender violence charges, restraining orders, the specialised courts and the consequences for foreigners.
- Theft, robbery & fraud: Shoplifting, theft, robbery, burglary, fraud and scams, for those accused and for those who have lost money.
- Victims of crime: Reporting a crime as a visitor, joining the prosecution with your own lawyer and claiming compensation from home.
- Islands: Criminal lawyers in the courts of Palma, Inca and Manacor, Ibiza, Maó and Ciutadella, and for Formentera.
Where we are
Our office is at C/ General Riera, 1, 3º D, 07003 Palma de Mallorca. We attend police stations and courts in Palma, Inca and Manacor, Ibiza, Maó and Ciutadella, and the Provincial Court of the Balearic Islands. See our pages for Mallorca, Ibiza, Menorca and Formentera.
Speak to an English-speaking criminal lawyer today
Tell us what has happened by phone, WhatsApp or email. We will explain the charge, the evidence and your options in plain English, and what we would do next to protect your liberty and your record.