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Crimes against honour (calúnia, difamação, injúria)Verified against official source
Verified against official source
This range was checked against the official legal text. Last verified: 2026-10-19.
Statutory range
Art. 138 — calúnia (falsely imputing a defined crime)
- Imprisonment
- Detenção 6 months–2 years
- Fine
- Multa
Art. 139 — difamação (imputing an offensive fact)
- Imprisonment
- Detenção 3 months–1 year
- Fine
- Multa
Art. 140 caput — injúria (offending dignity / decorum)
- Imprisonment
- Detenção 1–6 months
- Fine
- Multa (alternative to detention)
Art. 140 §2 — injúria with degrading (aviltante) violence
- Imprisonment
- Detenção 3 months–1 year
- Fine
- Multa
Plus the penalty for the violence.
Art. 140 §3 — injúria using elements of religion, old age or disability
- Imprisonment
- Reclusão 1–3 years
- Fine
- Multa
Current wording (Lei nº 14.532/2023). The racial element now sits in Lei nº 7.716/1989.
Art. 141 — increases
- Imprisonment
- Ranges INCREASED by 1/3; doubled if paid / for reward; tripled if on social media; doubled if against a woman for reasons of female condition
- Fine
- —
Note on this entry
Art. 141 increases apply across the chapter: +1/3 (listed victims / circumstances); doubled if paid or for reward; tripled if committed or disclosed on social media; doubled if against a woman for reasons of female condition. Art. 140 §3 racial element was moved to Lei nº 7.716/1989 by Lei nº 14.532/2023 — it sits in the excluded hate-crime entry, not here.
Source
Not legal advice. This range is the statutory penalty as written in the law — it is
not “your sentence.” What is NOT accounted for here: Priors, retraction (art. 143), complaint requirement (art. 145: generally on complaint, except against the President / foreign head of state), discretion, plea-type agreements. If you face a real
charge, consult a licensed lawyer in the relevant jurisdiction.