Article 15 of the Saudi Implementing Regulations of the Criminal Procedure Law
المادة 15 من اللائحة التنفيذية لنظام الإجراءات الجزائية · الفصل الأول: جمع المعلومات وضبطها والتلبس بالجريمة
The article requires criminal investigation officers to accept reports and complaints in all crimes, oral or written, from a known or unknown source, and regulates referral and the register of reports.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
1- يقبل رجال الضبط الجنائي - كل بحسب اختصاصه - البلاغات والشكاوى في جميع الجرائم، سواء كانت مشافهة، أو كتابة، معلومة المصدر أو مجهولته.
2 - إذا قُدم البلاغ أو الشكوى إلى جهة ضبط غير مختصة مكاناً فعليها تسجيله وإحالته إلى جهة الضبط المختصة.
3 - يجب أن يشتمل سجل البلاغات والشكاوى في جهة الضبط على ملخص البلاغ أو الشكوى وتاريخه، ووقته واسم مقدمه - إن وجد - واسم متلقيه، والإجراءات المتخذة بشأنه.
This is the official Arabic wording, the only legally binding version. We do not translate the law itself; the explanation below is ours. Official source: Bureau of Experts at the Council of Ministers
Article 15 explained in plain English
This article of the Regulations regulates the first step in many criminal cases: the report or complaint. It contains three rules:
- Accepting all reports: criminal investigation officers, each according to his competence, accept reports and complaints in all crimes, whether they are:
- Oral or written.
- From a known source or an unknown one.
- A body not competent by place: if the report is submitted to an investigating body that is not competent by place, it must register it and refer it to the competent investigating body, and not turn it away.
- The register of reports: the register of reports and complaints at the investigating body must contain: a summary of the report or complaint, its date and time, the name of the person who submitted it if any, the name of the person who received it, and the steps taken regarding it.
The practical meaning is that anyone who wants to report a crime can do so in writing or orally, even without giving his name, and that submitting the report at a station that is not competent does not lose him his report, because the station is obliged to register and refer it. The register also keeps a record of every report and what was done about it.
It is followed by Article 16, which regulates the officer's record when he goes to the scene of the crime. Anyone who has submitted a report and wants to follow its procedures may consult a lawyer specializing in criminal cases.
Practical example
Fahd's car was stolen in a Riyadh district, but he submitted his report at the police station of another district because it is near his home. The station must record the report in its register with its summary, date and time, Fahd's name and the name of the person who received it, then refer it to the body competent by place.
Translated from our Arabic explanation with machine assistance. For guidance only; it does not replace advice from a lawyer on your situation.
How we write and review contentCriminal Law lawyers: ask a specialist about your case
Describe your situation briefly and we'll suggest a lawyer who specialises in this law
Criminal Law lawyers
Lawyers who handle this kind of case
Ibrahim Al Salem Law Firm
Active contributor
Dr. Ali Al-Rubaie Law Office and Ittihad Al-Asr Legal Company
Frequently asked questions about Article 15 of the Saudi Implementing Regulations of the Criminal Procedure Law
Do the police accept a report from a person who does not give his name?
Yes. Criminal investigation officers accept reports and complaints from a known or unknown source.
May a report be submitted orally?
Yes. Reports and complaints are accepted orally or in writing.
What if I submit the report at a station that is not competent?
A body that is not competent by place must register it and refer it to the competent investigating body.
What is recorded about the report?
Its summary, date and time, the name of whoever submitted it if any, the name of whoever received it, and the steps taken regarding it.
More articles on Criminal Seizure and Arresting the Accused
- Article 12
The article clarifies that the competent body referred to in Article 25 of the Law is the body to which the criminal investigation officer belongs.
الجهة المختصة المشار إليها في المادة (الخامسة والعشرين) من النظام هي الجهة التي يتبع لها رجل الضبط الجنائي.
- Article 13
The article explains that criminal investigation work under paragraph 2 of Article 26 of the Law is carried out by police directors as well as the individuals and persons assigned to assist them.
يقوم بأعمال الضبط الجنائي - وفقاً لما ورد في الفقرة (2) من المادة (السادسة والعشرين) من النظام - بالإضافة إلى مديري الشرط، الأفراد والأشخاص المكلفون بمعاونتهم.
- Article 14
The article allows the criminal investigation officer to seek the help of other public authority personnel whenever the matter requires it during the performance of his duties.
لرجل الضبط الجنائي - في سبيل قيامه بواجباته - أن يستعين بغيره من رجال السلطة العامة متى اقتضى الأمر ذلك.
- Article 16
The article sets the contents of the officer's record on going to the scene of the crime, requires him to show his identity, and regulates acting outside his jurisdiction, informing the Authority and continuing inquiries.
1 - يقوم رجـل الضبط الجنائي - عند الانتقال إلى مكان وقوع الجريمة بحسب المادة (السابعة والعشرين) من النظام - بتحرير محضر يشتمل على ما يأتي: أ) تاريخ اتخاذ الإجرا
- Article 18
The article prevents the criminal investigation officer from obstructing first aid to the injured at the scene of the crime on the pretext of drawing up the record under Article 32 of the Law.
لا يجوز لرجل الضبط الجنائي - من أجل تحرير المحضر وفقاً للمادة (الثانية والثلاثين) من النظام - أن يحول دون إسعاف المصابين في مكان وقوع الجريمة.
- Article 19
The article defines the sufficient evidence in Article 33 of the Law as strong indications and signs assessed by the officer, and sets the contents of the memorandum informing the Authority of arresting a person caught in the act.
1- الدلائل الكافية المشار إليها في المادة (الثالثة والثلاثين) من النظام هي العلامات الخارجية من قرائن وأمارات قوية تسوِّغ وضع الشخص في دائرة الاتهام، ويخضع تقدي
The texts are reproduced from the official website of the Bureau of Experts at the Council of Ministers for reference; where they differ, the officially published Arabic text prevails. This content is not legal advice.