A friend has just received an official letter with legal Spanish which is rather difficult. It is set out in paragraphs like this.
Fecha de Infracción
xxx
Normas sustantivas infringidas
lists of laws he was breaking bla bla bla bla
Tipificación de la Infracción
'Crime' allegedly committed (not a criminal issue, it concerns tourism laws)
Calificación Jurídica de las Infracciones
Grave
Sanción que pudiera Corresponderle
18,000 euros
Yes, a fine of 18,000 euros. Now the rest of the document drones on about a right to appeal and so on, but clearly gives to understand that the fine has been imposed, at that level. He can pay it, but this does not prejudice his right to an appeal.
My question is the following: If I were to translate
"Sanción que pudiera Corresponderle " I would translate it as "Fine which
could be imposed" suggesting it is not certain. This would conflict with the rest of the document.
So yet again, after this long and boring introduction, why the subjunctive
pudiera?
Is it to be understood that this is certainly a fine imposed, or could it be understood as a hypothetical possibility?
This is kind of important. Thanks.
