In Spain , a '' '' is an examining judge , and a '' '' is the office of an examining judge . Each investigating judge is responsible for investigating " all kind of criminal cases committed in his district , except those cases that fall under the jurisdiction of the National Court ( '' '' ) or where another court has jurisdiction '' '' . " In addition to investigating crimes of all sorts , " the investigating judges are competent to try petty offense cases . " Among the most famous Spanish investigating judges was Baltasar Garzón , a polarizing figure known for investigating high-profile corruption and human rights cases . Garzón was known for invoking the doctrine of universal jurisdiction to issue an international arrest warrant for Chilean dictator Augusto Pinochet , leading to his apprehension in London in 1998 . Garzón also gained attention for overseeing an inquiry into atrocities committed during the Spanish Civil War ( despite a 1977 amnesty act ) and human rights abuses committed during the dictatorship of Francisco Franco . Garzón was convicted of illegal wiretapping in 2012 and was suspended from the bench for 11 years
atrocities committed during the Spanish Civil War
White Terror (Spain)
Examining magistrate