Despina
Lawyer · Athens, Greece
- 251 cases handled · 1 in this service
- 18+ years in practice
- Speaks: English, German, Greek
- Law, Athens University of Law
-
4.95(12 reviews)
Assault Charges in Greece
This page is for a person accused of assault in Greece, which Greek law calls bodily harm (σωματική βλάβη), from a scuffle on a night out to a more serious injury. It explains the degrees of the offence, the role of the injured person's complaint, the fast-track procedure after an arrest and what an English-speaking lawyer does.
About Assault Charges in Greece
Assault charges in Greece are brought under the offence of bodily harm, σωματική βλάβη (somatiki vlavi): there is no offence called “assault” in the Greek Penal Code, so an assault charge, a bodily harm charge, causing injury or being blamed for a fight all end up under this heading. Some older lists and lawyer pages call this service “Assault Cases”. The Code grades the offence by the result and the danger of the act: simple (απλή), dangerous (επικίνδυνη) and grievous (βαριά) bodily harm, with injury by negligence (από αμέλεια) as a separate, lighter form that often follows a traffic accident. This page is information, not legal advice.
Who needs this
A visitor or resident arrested after a fight in a bar, on a beach or at a festival; a person reported to the police by a neighbour, a tenant or a former partner; a driver whose accident left someone injured; and anyone who has received a summons from a Greek court for an incident they thought was over. A person who was injured by someone else finds a separate page on legal representation for crime victims.
How a case runs in Greece
The simple form is usually prosecuted only on the injured person's formal complaint, the έγκληση (enklisi), which has to be filed within a short, fixed time; if it is withdrawn, the case for that form ends. Dangerous and grievous forms are pursued by the public prosecutor (εισαγγελέας) whether or not a complaint stands. A person caught at the scene is often dealt with under the fast-track procedure, αυτόφωρο (aftoforo): the police take the person before the prosecutor within a short fixed period, and the prosecutor can send the case straight to the misdemeanour court (Πλημμελειοδικείο) or adjourn it so that evidence can be gathered. Serious injuries go to the investigating judge and a higher court.
What to pay attention to
- From the moment of arrest the person has the right to a lawyer and to a state-paid interpreter, and may ask for the consulate to be told.
- Self-defence (άμυνα) is a recognised defence, but it is the court that weighs it; what is said at the police station matters.
- Medical certificates issued the same night, the names of witnesses and any video are the evidence the case will turn on.
- Instead of custody the judge can impose restrictive conditions, which for a foreign resident sometimes include handing in the passport.
What an English-speaking lawyer does
The lawyer attends the first questioning, explains the charge and the choice between an immediate hearing and an adjournment, checks whether a complaint was filed in time and by the right person, gathers the evidence of self-defence or provocation, speaks with the other side about withdrawing the complaint where the law allows it, and represents the client at trial and on appeal. If the client is held, the help described under legal help for prisoners applies; after the case, a criminal record certificate may be needed for a residence permit or a job. An accusation inside the family follows its own rules, described under defence against domestic violence allegations. More on criminal law in Greece.
Questions and answers
Can the injured person drop the charge?
For the simple form of bodily harm, withdrawing the complaint normally ends the case. For the dangerous and grievous forms the prosecutor continues regardless, although a settlement with the injured person still counts at sentencing.
Can I leave Greece while the case is pending?
Unless the court has ordered otherwise, a person who has been released can travel; a lawyer with a power of attorney can represent the client at later hearings. Where the passport has been retained, the lawyer applies to have the condition lifted.
Will a conviction show on my record at home?
It is entered in the Greek criminal record (ποινικό μητρώο) and can be shared with other EU states; whether and how a home country records it depends on that country's rules.
2 lawyers who provide Assault Charges in Greece
Sorted by experience in this service. Write to any of them — the reply comes from the lawyer, without obligation.
-
-
Konstantinos
Lawyer · Athens, Greece
- 28 cases handled
- 11+ years in practice
- Speaks: English, Greek
- Degree in Law, National & Kapodistrian University of Athens
-
5.00(1 review)
Contact form · a chat with a lawyer
Talk to a lawyer about Assault Charges
2 registered lawyers provide this service in Greece. Describe your situation in a short chat — what happened, where, and how to reach you. Your enquiry is reviewed and passed to a lawyer who handles exactly this kind of case, with no obligation.
We are not just a place to list a profile: we work with every lawyer individually. Each one is registered with a bar association, and their experience, languages and client reviews are shown openly on their card.
Enquiries are answered by lawyers of AdvocateAbroad. This site provides legal information, not legal advice.
- Defence against Domestic Violence Allegations
- Defamation
- Drink Driving Offences
- Drug Possession & Trafficking Offences
- Extradition Proceedings
- Fraud, Theft and Forgery
- Legal Help for Prisoners
- Customs Seizure of Goods
- Sexual Offences
- Smuggling Offences
- Speeding and Traffic Fines
- Legal Representation for Crime Victims
What our clients say about our service in Greece
-
A capable, helpful lawyer for British people with a legal problem in Spain, and in Mallorca especially.
— Les30 Jan 2026Assault Charges -
The lawyer was very professional and put me at ease, particularly as she spoke English. All of my questions got answered. I would gladly hire her again if needed and will recommend her to everyone. Thanks once more, it was a pleasure meeting her.
— Paul27 Jun 2024Assault Charges -
The lawyer did an excellent job for me. Legal matters are a mystery to me, yet she saw me safely through a really hard period, which is finally over. I am more thankful than I can say, and I would certainly recommend her. All the best!
— Andrew16 Nov 2022 -
This was a highly professional and efficient service. Our urgent email got a reply almost immediately. The lawyer was very approachable and helpful in handling the case and translated everything into English for us. The service was excellent value for money, and we are completely satisfied with the outcome.
— Rhona16 Nov 2022 -
As an expatriate who does not speak the language, this was just the kind of support I needed, and it made me feel less like a stranger and more at home. The lawyer explained the process and procedure clearly and kept me well informed until I finally got through it. The help was excellent, and I am very satisfied with how it all ended. I thank her for the great work and wish her every success in her career.
— Ali25 Jul 2022 -
It has been a very long, nerve-wracking process, but that is for the court system to improve. Half of the trauma for me has been the waiting and not being able to move on. Very tough. I appreciate the lawyer very much in every respect.
— Peter10 Apr 2022 -
The lawyer was truly professional, ahead of the appointment date and on the day itself. He stayed very calm and reassuring, and I always felt in safe hands thanks to his trustworthy approach. I would highly recommend him to anyone in the Canary Islands. He held several interviews with me before the date, going through many questions and providing advice that was excellent throughout, with never a sense of a time limit; he simply kept going till all of it was settled. His investigation of the case was superb and he had everything covered. On the day the result was the best possible outcome for me, and I am completely satisfied. 100% rating.
— T.D.09 Oct 2021 -
The lawyer made everything very clear and took me through it step by step, a real professional and a pleasure to deal with.
— Jessica03 Nov 2020 -
She was incredibly helpful and patient with me. She is very professional and knows exactly how to advise a distressed client, and I would recommend her to anyone.
— Stefan07 Sep 2019Assault Charges -
It was a first-class and very professional service, delivered at very short notice. Everything was under control within a short time. The lawyer was a man of his word: whatever he said he would do, he did. My family and I appreciate everything he did for my brother, and we thank him so much.
— Jason16 Jul 2019Assault Charges -
The lawyer provided a very professional and efficient service. I would certainly recommend her!
— Breda25 Jun 2019 -
A very sympathetic lawyer with excellent advice.
— John16 May 2019Assault Charges