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Dominican Republic Enacts New Penal Code with 70 New Crimes and Up to 60‑Year Sentences
The Dominican Republic’s new Penal Code (Law 74‑25) entered into force in August 2026, replacing a code dating from 1884. It adds roughly 70 new offenses and revises another 39, bringing the total catalogue to 109 criminal types. The legislation allows cumulative sentences of up to 60 years for the most serious crimes, such as multiple homicides or organized murder, and introduces harsher penalties for robbery of mobile phones, economic and patrimonial domestic violence, and the profanation of corpses.
Procuradora General Yeni Berenice Reynoso led a series of workshops for journalists, explaining the reforms and emphasizing new guarantees for citizens and a more deterrent criminal‑justice approach. Lawmakers, including deputy Carmen Lidia Williams, praised the code as a step toward stronger justice. Legal analysts such as Victor Mateo Vásquez warned that the expanded penalties will force the government to build additional prisons and that corporate criminal liability now requires companies to adopt compliance programs. Other commentators, like lawyer Amadeo Peralta, highlighted the inclusion of offenses related to witchcraft and the handling of human remains.
The Ministry of Public Prosecution reported it has trained staff and added resources to implement the code, while the new framework also creates a National Registry of Sexual Aggressors and expands the scope of legal responsibility for both individuals and legal entities.
Entities
Amadeo Peralta · Carmen Lidia Williams · Dominican Republic · Fernando Puig · Instituto de Educación Superior Escuela Nacional del Ministerio Público · Ministério Público · New Penal Code (Dominican Republic) · Paul Maldonado · Victor Mateo Vásquez · Yeni Berenice Reynoso
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.
- [● 4 SOURCES] The Dominican Republic's new Penal Code incorporates 70 new crimes, bringing the total to 109 offenses. elatlantico.do · elnuevodiario.com.do · ensegundos.do · www.prensa-latina.cu
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Robbery of cell phones now carries a prison term of 10 to 20 years. hoy.com.do
- [● 3 SOURCES] Procuradora General Yeni Berenice Reynoso conducted a workshop for about 40 journalists on the new Penal Code. elatlantico.do · elnuevodiario.com.do · ensegundos.do
- [● 3 SOURCES] Workshop participants will receive certificates from the Instituto de Educación Superior Escuela Nacional del Ministerio Público (IES‑ENMP). elatlantico.do · elnuevodiario.com.do · ensegundos.do
- [○ 1 SOURCE] The code adds provisions that define and penalise economic and patrimonial violence within families. hoy.com.do
- [● 2 SOURCES] Deputy Carmen Lidia Williams said the new Penal Code strengthens Dominican justice. deultimominuto.net · pasoapaso.com.do
- [○ 1 SOURCE] A National Register of Sexual Aggressors will be created under the new Penal Code. www.prensa-latina.cu
- [○ 1 SOURCE] The Ministerio Público has added 100 new prosecutors across 37 judicial districts and 140 lawyers dedicated to victim assistance for the new code. www.prensa-latina.cu