Los límites de la justicia transicional penal: la experiencia del caso espa？ol

during the spanish transition to democracy after franco's dictatorship, no criminal proceedings were initiated in order to prosecute the crimes committed under the previous regime. initiatives aimed to start a prosecution for such crimes came too late, since those who could be held responsible of the facts were dead. this article analyses the main legal issues concerned, such as prohibition of retroactivity, prescription and the effects of 1977 amnesty law. we conclude pointing out the limits of criminal justice and the need to explore other transitional justice measures.