Alfredo
Lawyer · Naples, Italy
- 30 cases handled
- 5+ years in practice
- Speaks: English, Spanish, Italian
- Masters Degree in Law, Università Federico II di Napoli
-
5.00(1 review)
Assault Charges in Italy
This page is for someone accused of assault in Italy, which Italian law treats as lesioni personali (bodily harm), percosse (blows) or rissa (affray), and for relatives helping from abroad. It explains how the case starts, how it can end and what an English-speaking lawyer does for the accused.
About Assault Charges in Italy
Assault charges in Italy usually take the form of lesioni personali, the offence of causing bodily harm, or percosse, striking someone without a lasting injury; a fight between several people can also be charged as rissa (affray). English speakers search for the same thing as an assault charge, bodily harm, causing injury or a brawl that ended with a complaint. This page addresses the person accused and family members helping from abroad, and it is general information rather than legal advice. Some older lists and lawyer pages call this service “Assault Cases”.
Who needs this
Visitors and residents after a fight outside a bar or club, an argument in traffic, a dispute with a neighbour or a landlord, or an incident at a stadium or on public transport. Often the person was stopped by the Carabinieri or the Polizia di Stato, identified and later learned that they are under investigation (indagato), sometimes only when a notice arrives at an address in Italy.
How a case runs in Italy
- Complaint or not. Many lighter forms of assault go ahead only if the injured person files a querela, a formal complaint, and that person can later withdraw it (remissione di querela), which ends the case. Serious injuries, and some aggravated situations, are prosecuted by the state whatever the injured person wants. Recent reforms moved this line, so which rule applies is the first thing to check.
- Investigation. The public prosecutor (pubblico ministero) directs the inquiry; witness statements, medical reports and camera footage decide most cases. Self-defence (legittima difesa) is assessed on that evidence.
- Possible outcomes. The case may be closed, sent to trial, settled through compensation, treated as a minor matter, or suspended with community work (messa alla prova) where the law allows. Some minor cases are heard by a justice of the peace (giudice di pace).
What to pay attention to
A foreign suspect is usually asked to choose an address in Italy for official notices (elezione di domicilio); papers sent there count as received even after the person has gone home. A decreto penale di condanna, a conviction issued on paper without a hearing, can be challenged only within a short period. Medical certificates on both sides matter from the first day.
What an English-speaking lawyer does
The lawyer reads the file, explains the charge in plain English, attends interviews with an interpreter, gathers evidence for the defence, negotiates compensation or a withdrawal of the complaint where that is possible and represents the accused in court, including from a distance through a power of attorney. A person who was hurt and wants a lawyer of their own finds information on legal representation for crime victims; an accusation within a couple or a family is covered under domestic violence allegations. A conviction can later appear on a criminal record certificate. More on criminal law in Italy.
Questions and answers
The other person says they will drop the complaint. Is the case over?
For offences that depend on a querela, a withdrawal that the accused accepts normally ends the case. Where the state prosecutes on its own, the withdrawal does not stop it, although compensation can still matter for the outcome.
I have already left Italy. What happens now?
The case continues. Notices go to the address chosen in Italy or to the lawyer, and the accused can be represented without travelling for most steps.
Is a punch without injury still a crime?
It can be: striking someone may be percosse even without a lasting injury. How it is treated depends on the facts and on whether a complaint was made.
Do I have a right to an interpreter?
Yes. A suspect who does not understand Italian has the right to an interpreter and to the translation of the key documents of the case.
1 lawyer who provides Assault Charges in Italy
Sorted by experience in this service. Write to any of them — the reply comes from the lawyer, without obligation.
Contact form · a chat with a lawyer
Talk to a lawyer about Assault Charges
1 registered lawyer provide this service in Italy. 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 Italy
-
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