Codigo Penal – General Legal Framework (Ley N.º 4573)

The Codigo Penal (Ley N.º 4573) is the central statute that defines which conduct is considered a crime in Costa Rica and what the corresponding penalties are. This fact sheet covers the general framework — it is not an exhaustive list of every codified offense.

Principle of legality: only conduct that the law expressly defines as a crime can be punished (no one can be penalized for behavior that was not prohibited by law at the time it was committed), and the application of analogy is prohibited (a conduct that is merely “similar” to a crime cannot be punished if it is not itself defined as a crime).

General structure: the code distinguishes between common crimes (the most frequent ones: against life, property, liberty, etc.) and acts of special seriousness (organized crime, terrorism, drug trafficking, among others, often also addressed in special laws separate from the code). It also regulates the application of sentences, security measures, and the criminal liability of legal persons (companies).

Territoriality: as a general rule, Costa Rican criminal law applies to acts committed within the national territory; under certain conditions, it can also apply to acts committed outside the country (extraterritoriality).

Relationship with other fact sheets in this database: to learn what to do if you are a victim or witness of a crime, see the sheet “How to File a Criminal Complaint (OIJ / Ministerio Publico)”. For the rights of an accused person during the process, see the sheet on the Codigo Procesal Penal. For offenses committed by minors, see the sheet on the Ley de Justicia Penal Juvenil.

Note: the Codigo Penal is extensive and undergoes frequent amendments to specific articles — for the current and updated text of a particular offense, always verify it at pgrweb.go.cr/scij, not in third‑party summaries.