Practice area
Local Police Courts
Defense in traffic violations, municipal ordinances and consumer protection cases.
What this area covers
- Traffic violations (fines, accidents)
- Violations of ordinances, regulations, municipal agreements and mayoral decrees
- Municipal revenue law violations
- Urban planning and construction law violations
- Co-ownership Law 19.537 violations
- Election law violations
- Paving law violations
- Alcohol sale and consumption regulation violations
- Public entertainment and racing regulation violations
- Fishing and hunting regulation violations
- Consumer protection cases (except collective or diffuse interest actions)
Frequently asked questions
I received a traffic ticket — do I have to appear in court?
If the ticket summons you to appear, yes: failing to attend or be represented means liability is presumed (Law 18.287). If the offence happened far from where you live, you can request an exhorto so the case moves to the Local Police Court of your own district instead of travelling.
What can I claim under consumer law, and before whom?
Before the Local Police Court where the breach occurred. The window is short: infringement actions expire six months after the breach was committed (art. 26 of Law 19.496), and are suspended while a complaint is pending with customer service or SERNAC. Complaining to SERNAC does not replace the court claim — it postpones it.
I had a collision with no injuries — who is liable for the damage?
Whoever is found responsible for the accident, and that is argued before the Local Police Court. Beware of a common confusion: the compulsory insurance (SOAP) covers death and personal injury and the related medical costs, not damage to the vehicle. For that you need separate cover, or a claim against the driver at fault.
This is general information about Chilean law, not advice on a specific case: deadlines and requirements change with the facts.
Other practice areas
Need counsel in Local Police Courts?
Tell us what happened and we will tell you whether we can help and how. Santiago and Valparaíso, Monday to Friday.