Article 177 of the Saudi Implementing Regulations of the Criminal Procedure Law
المادة 177 من اللائحة التنفيذية لنظام الإجراءات الجزائية · الباب التاسع: أحكام عامة وختامية
A person who cannot speak but can write gives statements in writing, questions are written for a deaf person who can read, an expert is used if they are illiterate, and an illiterate person signs with a fingerprint.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
1- إذا كان من يُراد الاستماع إلى أقواله أبكـم يستطيع الكتابة فيدوِّن أقواله كتابةً، ويُسأل الأصم الذي يستطيع القراءة عن طريق كتابة الأسئلة له، وإذا كان الأبكم أو الأصم أمياً فتدوَّن أقواله بوساطة خبير.
2 - يكون توقيع الأمي فيما يستلزم ذلك بوضع بصمة إصبعه.
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 177 explained in plain English
This article of the Implementing Regulations of the Criminal Procedure Law sets the method for taking the statements of a person with a speech or hearing impairment, and the method of signing for an illiterate person. It covers anyone whose statements are to be heard, and is not limited to the accused or a witness.
1. How statements are taken
- A person who cannot speak but can write: his statements are recorded in writing.
- A deaf person who can read: he is questioned by writing the questions for him.
- A person who cannot speak or is deaf and is illiterate: his statements are recorded through an expert.
The article does not specify the type of expert or how to choose one; it only requires that in this case the statements be recorded through him.
2. Signing for an illiterate person
An illiterate person signs, where signing is required, by placing his fingerprint. This provision is general for any illiterate person, whether or not he is deaf or unable to speak.
This article comes in Part Nine of the Regulations on general and final provisions, which includes Article 178, under which notification is valid when the person is notified through his address approved by the competent authority or its legal equivalent, where there is no specific provision, and Article 176 on searching the premises of embassies and organizations with immunity.
Anyone who is a party to a criminal case and has a hearing or speech impairment is advised to consult a lawyer who specializes in criminal cases.
Practical example
Ahmed, who is deaf and reads well, was summoned to give his statements in a criminal case. The questions are written for him to read and answer. If he were deaf and could neither read nor write, his statements would be recorded through an expert, and he would sign with his fingerprint.
Translated from our Arabic explanation with machine assistance. For guidance only; it does not replace advice from a lawyer on your situation.
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Frequently asked questions about Article 177 of the Saudi Implementing Regulations of the Criminal Procedure Law
How are the statements of a person who cannot speak taken in an investigation or in court?
If he can write, his statements are recorded in writing; if he is illiterate, they are recorded through an expert.
How is a deaf person questioned?
If he can read, he is questioned by writing the questions for him; if he is illiterate, his statements are recorded through an expert.
How does someone who cannot write sign?
An illiterate person signs, where signing is required, by placing his fingerprint.
More articles on Rights of the Accused and Detainee
- Article 20
The article fixes the start of the twenty-four-hour period in Article 34 of the Law: from the time of arrest for the criminal investigation officer, and from the time the accused reaches him for the investigator.
تبدأ مهلة الأربع والعشرين ساعة المشار إليها في المادة (الرابعة والثلاثين) من النظام بالنسبة لرجل الضبط الجنائي من وقت القبض على المتهم، وتبدأ المهلة بالنسبة للم
- Article 22
The article requires informing the accused on arrest or detention of its reasons, his right to a representative or lawyer, and his right to contact whomever he wishes to notify, and obtaining his signature.
يجب أن يعرّف المتهم عند القبض عليه أو توقيفه بما يأتي: أ) أسباب القبض عليه أو توقيفه. ب) حقه في الاستعانة بوكيل أو محام في مرحلتي التحقيق والمحاكمة. ج) حقه في ا
- Article 23
The article explains that enabling a detainee to contact whomever he wishes to notify is by the method the officer or investigator assesses, and that notifying the detained employee's superior is done by whoever ordered his continued detention.
1- يُمكّن الموقوف من الاتصال بمن يرى إبلاغه بالطريقة التي يقدرها رجل الضبط الجنائي أو المحقق بحسب حالة كل قضية وملابساتها. 2 - يكون إبلاغ مرجع الموظف الموقوف -
- Article 25
The article regulates the Authority's oversight of prisons and detention places, what to do on finding someone held unlawfully, receipt of complaints, the daily report, and the contents of the registers.
1 - إذا تبين لعضو الهيئة المختص بزيارة السجون وأماكن التوقيف وجود مسجون أو موقوف بصفة غير مشروعة، فعليه الرفع عن ذلك لرئيس دائرة التحقيق التي يتبعها لاتخاذ اللا
- Article 26
The article requires the prison or detention director to draw up a record of an oral complaint and report it to the Authority's member, and requires visiting members to check the complaints register and sign it.
1- إذا قدم المسجون أو الموقوف شكوى شفهية إلى مدير السجن أو التوقيف؛ فيعد المدير محضراً بذلك موقعاً من المشتكي يتضمن ما ذكره من تظلم وأسبابه، ويلحق بالشكوى ملخص
- Article 27
The article allows reporting orally or in writing a person held unlawfully or in an undesignated place even if the reporter has no interest, and requires the Authority to send a member at once.
1- يُقبل الإبلاغ عن وجود مسجون أو موقوف بصفة غير مشروعة أو في مكان غير مخصص للسجن أو التوقيف بحسب ما نصت عليه المادة (الأربعون) من النظام؛ مشافهةً أو كتابة، ولو
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.