Criminal Defense Lawyer in Cali Colombia | 300 356 4041

Q: What should a foreigner do immediately after being arrested in Cali, Colombia?

If a foreign citizen is arrested in Cali, they should immediately exercise their constitutional right to remain silent and contact an independent and experienced English speaking criminal defense attorney at once before signing any documents or speaking to police officers.

Q: How long can a foreign citizen be held in custody in Cali before seeing a judge?

Under Colombian criminal procedure, authorities have a strict 36-hour deadline from the moment of physical arrest to present the detainee before a Constitutional Judge in Cali or virtually with any Constitutional Judge in Colombia. If 36 hours pass without a judge ruling on the legality of the arrest, the lawyer must petition for immediate release.

Q: What happens if a tourist is detained at Alfonso Bonilla Aragón Airport (Cali/Palmira)?

When a foreign national is detained at the Cali/Palmira airport by Interpol, Migration, or Anti-Narcotics police, they are usually transferred to a local holding unit (URI) in Cali. A bilingual lawyer can intervene immediately to verify consular notification rights and ensure legal representation before preliminary hearings.

Q: Can an expat or foreign national fight criminal charges in Colombia while remaining on bail?

Technically Yes. There is no bail system in Colombia. Pre-trial detention in a prison facility like Villahermosa is not mandatory. Although in most cases foreigners are presumed to be flight risks for local judges. By proving strong local ties, voluntary compliance, and providing non-custodial guarantees, a skilled criminal defense attorney can petition the judge for house arrest or conditional release during trial.

Need a Criminal Defense Lawyer in Cali Colombia?

If you are in need of an English speaking Criminal Defense Lawyer in Cali Colombia then you have reached one of the very best. Our experienced team of criminal defense attorneys who are fluent in English can assist you in any type of legal situation. Call us right away to speak to an English speaking experienced criminal defense attorney in Cali Colombia. There is always an English speaking lawyer on call in Cali to either assist you right away or to speak to in order to schedule an appointment to come visit our offices.

Tel. 305 290 8910

Criminal Defense Attorney in Cali Colombia Our team of criminal defense lawyers has lots of experience in cases such as:

Drug related offenses
Sex Crimes
DUI and DWI
Weapons related issues
Domestic Violence
JEP (Special Peace Process Justice) Cases
Murder, Assault, Robbery, Fraud, Tax Evasion, False Documents, Money Laundering, Property Seizure, Extradition and others..

We have one of the best and most successful criminal defense attorneys in the country in our team. Criminal defense attorney Heriberto Rivera has successfully defended quite a number of defendants in Cali, Medellin, Bogota, Valledupar and other cities of Colombia. Thus acquiring an excellent reputation and recognition as one of the very best in the country.

If you need to talk to a criminal defense lawyer in Cali who fluently speaks your language and can fully understand your situation, you need to contact us ASAP. When speaking to our English speaking attorneys, you will not do it through an interpreter, you will speak directly and confidentially with your lawyer. We offer a 24 hour 7 days a week English hotline for those who need immediate assistance or representation because of an arrest. This line is monitored all day and night every day, including weekends and holidays, by an English speaking criminal defense lawyer in Cali, ready to assist.

English Hotline 24/7: 305 290 8910

There are many law firms and independent lawyers all over the country, in every town and with many different levels of expertise. However when it comes to criminal law, our firm has earned an excellent reputation in Cali, because of our commitment, ethical work and success rate. We are probably not the least expensive but we are by far one of the best options when it comes to hiring an English speaking experienced criminal defense lawyer in Cali Colombia.

We treat every client as a family member, regardless of the crime he or she may be accused of. Our team focuses on providing the very best legal advice and representation to all of our clients. Our firm knows that facing a legal process, does not only affect the accused but also their families. That is why, we focus on keeping them informed each step of the process, in order to minimize its uncertainty. The Colombian legal system is a complex one to deal with, so each defendant deserves to have proper and experienced legal representation every step of the way.

We fight for the rights of the accused and always strive to reach the very best result possible. Our firm offers many different payment options to our English speaking clients with families abroad. Our clients and their families can pay for our service via PayPal, by Western Union wire transfers, Crypto transfers, bank deposits and directly in our legal offices here in Cali. Contact Us by Phone at:

Tel. 305 290 8910

Our legal firm has English speaking lawyers in many areas of law, such as, immigration law, family and business law, among others. So we offer a full range of services in one law firm. However, when it comes to criminal cases, we are well known throughout the country. That is why we can say that we are one of your very best options if you need an English speaking experienced criminal defense lawyer in Cali Colombia.

Frequently Asked Questions: Arrests & Foreign Citizen Legal Defense in Cali

What should a foreigner do immediately after being arrested in Cali, Colombia?

Direct Answer: If you or a family member are arrested in Cali, you must immediately exercise your constitutional right to remain silent and request an official sworn interpreter. Do not sign any document, confess, or answer interrogation questions until an independent bilingual criminal defense attorney arrives. Contact our 24/7 hotline to ensure immediate legal protection at police stations or prosecutor offices (URI San Nicolás).

🇺🇸 🇨🇴 Immediate Emergency Bilingual Hotline in Cali: Call +57 305 290 8910.

How long can a foreign citizen be held in custody in Cali before seeing a judge?

Direct Answer: Under the Colombian Code of Criminal Procedure, prosecutors have a strict and non-extendable 36-hour limit from the exact minute of physical detention to bring the arrestee before a Control of Guarantees Judge in Cali. If the 36-hour window expires without a judicial hearing confirming the arrest, the detention becomes unlawful, and your defense attorney can request your immediate release due to constitutional violations.

🚨 Is the 36-hour custody window running for a detainee? Call +57 305 290 8910 right now.

What happens if a tourist is detained at Alfonso Bonilla Aragón Airport (Cali/Palmira)?

Direct Answer: Foreign nationals detained at the Cali/Palmira international airport (for Interpol notices, alleged drug possession, or document irregularities) are transferred under custody to local prosecutor units in Cali. Attorney Heriberto Rivera intervenes directly at airport facilities or detention centers to guarantee consular notification rights, challenge illegal searches, and represent defendants during preliminary hearings.

📞 Arrested at Cali Airport? Get direct bilingual legal help at +57 305 290 8910.

Can an expat or foreign national fight criminal charges in Colombia while remaining on bail?

Direct Answer: Yes. Pre-trial imprisonment in local prisons like Villahermosa is not automatic for foreigners. In Colombia, prosecutors must prove that a defendant poses a flight risk or a danger to society. By providing local residency guarantees, proof of lawful activities, or posting financial bail, a specialized criminal attorney can advocate for conditional release, house arrest, or travel restrictions instead of prison confinement.

💬 Speak directly with an English-speaking criminal lawyer in Cali: +57 305 290 8910.