In the legal framework of country laws, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) has evolved its laws to invite expatriates to increase their standard of living. As the UAE ensures the safety of its citizens, the crime rate is low. Yet, criminal cases are reported by the victims. In the UAE, criminal cases are taken seriously and have harsh punishments. Yes for court cases you must have to consult the “Criminal Law Attorneys” in UAE. These attorneys are called as Lawyers in Dubai in AKA. Lawyers in Dubai or Dubai Lawyers will make sure that, justice is provided.
How is a Crime Reported in the UAE?
An actual criminal complaint includes events that led to the criminal offense, including time and locations. The report has minute details about the victim and the offender and their descriptions. Once the victim has filed the case against the offender, the police begin with their investigation. Their inquisitive skills and statements from the relevant parties lead to clues about the crime scene.
UAE Criminal Laws
The UAE’s legal framework contains many criminal laws. We will discuss the laws, which are mainly categorized as major and minor crimes. Let’s take a deep look at the UAE criminal laws, which define the worst and most lenient crimes in the country.
Crimes like manslaughter, kidnapping, or treason are considered the highest degree of crime in the UAE. Offenders of such felonies are either given life imprisonment or the death penalty. Misdemeanors are considered the lowest degree of crime in the UAE.
They have punishments such as paying a fine or imprisonment for a limited time. Other minor crimes, such as infractions or contraventions, require detention that may last one day or ten days. A punishable fine of AED 5,000 is applied for such criminal activities.
As the laws evolve in the UAE, criminal laws are also becoming flexible. Article 41 of the UAE Criminal Procedure Law allows statements from witnesses present at the crime scene, and relevant departments can also record their statements for more information on the case.
In cases where the crime has been committed recently or spur of the moment (Flagrante Delicto), law enforcement should go directly to the crime scene. Reaching the crime scene, they must document the whole scene, including physical evidence and the collection of statements and information from the witnesses at the crime scene. Legal arrests are allowed under the law. Further, they can seal the crime scene until an initial report has yet to be submitted to the concerned authorities to protect the evidence. Failing to comply with the police instructions will be reported in the initial document and submitted to Public Prosecution to take further legal action.
Article 42
Article 42 of the Criminal Procedures Law allows authorities to talk to executive bodies such as the armed forces, immigration officers, and the healthcare ministry. Collecting all the necessary information from the relevant bodies is essential to building evidence in the case for court proceedings. However, search and arrest warrants are required to allow officers to take immediate legal action.
What happens next?
When a report is prepared with necessary evidence and information, it is referred to the public prosecution within two days. The Public Prosecution has the responsibility to develop and present the criminal case. They represent public rights and interests, aiming to achieve justice within the legal framework. The public prosecutor will review the case in a day to determine if the crime happened under the UAE Penal Code (Federal Law No. 3 of 1987) and classify the crime between two divisions.
UAE court proceedings
When the crime has been classified into one of the mentioned categories, the case is filed with sufficient facts and evidence in the Court of First Instance. The court will hear both sides before a verdict is announced. An appeal can be made later in the Court of Appeal.
Right of hiring a Lawyer
You can consult a criminal lawyer whether you are at fault or a victim of a felony. A criminal lawyer can guide you in your best interest and share their legal expertise to ensure your case is well-handled.
