01 · People
Offenses against the inviolability of life
We defend the most complex criminal cases involving offenses against life.
The area
Defense and representation in offenses against life
Offenses against the inviolability of life are among the most consequential areas of criminal law. Their investigation demands a rigorous technical defense, or solid representation of the victim, from the very first actions of the Prosecutor’s Office.
At TREU Abogados we act both in the defense of persons under investigation or prosecution and in the representation of victims and their families, developing legal strategies aimed at protecting their rights, safeguarding due process and achieving the best possible outcome according to the circumstances of each case.
Every case demands a different strategy. The difference lies not only in knowing the law, but in knowing how to build a theory of the case capable of withstanding every stage of the criminal proceeding.
How we work
How we handle your case
Comprehensive legal analysis
We carry out a complete study of the facts, the available evidence and the procedural situation to identify risks and opportunities and to define the most suitable strategy from the outset.
Procedural strategy design
Every proceeding requires its own planning. We build a solid theory of the case, determine the relevant means of evidence and establish the best legal course to protect our client’s interests.
Ongoing defense and representation
We accompany every stage of the criminal procedure, from the preliminary investigation to the final resolution, providing technical, strategic and results-oriented representation.
Scope of defense
Offenses we handle
In the area of offenses against the inviolability of life, we take on your defense or representation in these offenses.
Tap any offense to see what it involves and the penalty under the COIP.
Aggravated murder
Killing another person under certain aggravating circumstances, for example if the victim is your father, mother, child or partner, if nighttime or an isolated place is chosen to do it, or if poison or fire is used.
Penalty: 26 to 30 years in prison.
Art. 140 COIP
Femicide
Killing a woman because she is a woman or because of her gender, within a power relationship marked by violence. It is more serious if the attacker was or wanted to be her partner, if they had a relationship of trust, if it happens in front of her children, or if her body is left in a public place.
Penalty: 22 to 26 years in prison; 26 years if there are aggravating circumstances.
Arts. 141 and 142 COIP
Contract killing (murder for hire)
Killing a person in exchange for money, a promise of payment or another benefit. Whoever commissions or orders the killing, directly or through intermediaries, receives the same penalty. Offering or advertising contract killing services is also a crime.
Penalty: 26 to 30 years in prison; 7 to 10 years for merely offering or advertising contract killing.
Art. 143 COIP
Homicide
Intentionally killing another person, without the aggravating circumstances of aggravated murder. Under a Constitutional Court ruling, a doctor who performs euthanasia freely requested by a patient suffering intensely from a serious, incurable injury or illness is not punished.
Penalty: 10 to 13 years in prison.
Art. 144 COIP
Negligent homicide
Causing another person's death without intent, through carelessness or negligence. A public official who negligently approved permits for a building that later collapsed and caused deaths is also liable.
Penalty: 3 to 5 years in prison.
Art. 145 COIP
Negligent homicide through professional malpractice
Causing a person's death through carelessness or negligence while practicing a profession, for example a doctor who does not follow the protocols of their field. The outcome alone is not enough: it must be proven that rules or technical standards were broken and that this directly caused the death.
Penalty: 1 to 3 years in prison; 3 to 5 years if the death results from unnecessary, dangerous and unlawful actions.
Art. 146 COIP
Abortion resulting in death
Causing a woman's death through the methods used to make her abort. Whoever applied or prescribed those methods is liable, and the penalty is higher if she had not consented to the abortion.
Penalty: 7 to 10 years in prison if the woman consented; 13 to 16 years if she did not.
Art. 147 COIP
Non-consented abortion
Forcing or causing a woman to abort without her agreement. If the methods used do not result in an abortion, it is punished as an attempt.
Penalty: 5 to 7 years in prison.
Art. 148 COIP
Consented abortion
Performing an abortion on a woman who agrees to it. The woman herself is also punished if she causes her own abortion or allows someone else to perform it.
Penalty: 1 to 3 years in prison for whoever performs the abortion; 6 months to 2 years for the woman.
Art. 149 COIP
Frequently asked questions
What clients usually ask us
Does being under investigation mean I am guilty?
No. Every person enjoys the constitutional principle of the presumption of innocence. A criminal investigation is intended to verify the existence of an offense and to determine liability through a process that respects due process.
A family member died as a result of a crime. Can we take part in the proceeding?
Yes. The victim’s relatives, in the cases provided for by law, may actively participate in the criminal proceeding, request procedural steps, submit evidence and exercise their rights with the assistance of a lawyer.
What should I do if I receive a summons from the Prosecutor’s Office to give a statement?
It is advisable to obtain legal advice before appearing. The statement you give may affect the course of the investigation, so it is important to understand beforehand your rights and the legal implications of each step.
At what stage can a lawyer intervene?
Early intervention is often decisive. Having counsel from the preliminary investigation allows timely strategic decisions, the preservation of evidence and the proper protection of the client’s rights throughout the proceeding.
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