Crime in Brazil has reached very high levels and the rate of crime continues to rise, especially in the major urban centres, but it is also spreading in rural areas. Brazil’s murder rate is several times higher than that of the US and rates for other crimes are similarly high. Street crime remains a problem for visitors and local residents alike, especially in the evenings and late at night. Foreigners are often specifically targeted for petty crime and there have been some cases of abductions and demands for ransom.

The legal system is based on continental European principles, but Brazil's legal system is a mess. There are many different kinds of courts, the system is understaffed, and lawyers deliberately delay proceedings by appealing even when there is no chance of success. The Brazilian justice system works slowly and it has some problems with corruptions.