1. Faking Illness
- Medical fraud is a criminal offense in Spain and throughout the EU.
- If someone falsely claims illness to avoid community service and it’s discovered, they can face additional charges, such as:
- Fraud
- Contempt of court
- Violation of a judicial sentence
Doctors who assist in this knowingly can also face professional and legal consequences.
2. Relocation to Avoid Sentence
- Relocating does not erase the sentence.
- Spain can:
- Issue a European Arrest Warrant (EAW)Â for non-compliance.
- Use Framework Decision 2008/947/JHA to request enforcement of the sentence in the new EU country (e.g., Portugal).
- Flag the person’s criminal record across Schengen countries, limiting their freedom to live, work, or travel legally.
⚖️ Consequences of Trying to Escape
- Loss of freedom: Arrest at borders or during residency applications.
- Warrants: Being “wanted” in an EU country will follow a person.
- Reputation: Especially in small or expat communities, word travels.
- Mental health: Living in fear, looking over your shoulder, and carrying unresolved guilt or anxiety is deeply corrosive over time.
🧠From a Psychological Perspective
Escaping accountability often feels like a relief at first — especially if someone feels they were wrongly convicted or treated unfairly. But in time, it tends to create internal unrest:
- The fear of being caught.
- The shame of hiding.
- The fragmentation of identity when living a “double life.”
For many, the more healing and empowering path is to face the consequences, serve the sentence, and reclaim their power through integrity and transformation. Especially if it’s community service — which can be an opportunity to reconnect with purpose.
🌿 A Better Way Forward
If you or someone you know believes the sentence was unjust, there are legitimate channels:
- Appeal the conviction or the conditions of the service.
- Request modification (e.g., from manual labor to another type of community contribution if medically necessary).
- Work with a lawyer to negotiate cross-border supervision.
đź’¬ Final Thought
Trying to escape justice might buy time, but it rarely brings peace. The true strength is in facing what’s ahead and turning even difficult circumstances into fuel for growth.
