Article 19 of the Saudi Implementing Regulations of the Criminal Procedure Law
المادة 19 من اللائحة التنفيذية لنظام الإجراءات الجزائية · الفصل الثاني: القبض على المتهم
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.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
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 تقدير هذه الدلائل لرجل الضبط الجنائي.
2 - يكون إبلاغ رجل الضبط الجنائي للهيئة بالقبض على المتهم المتلبس - بحسب المادة (الثالثة والثلاثين) من النظام - بمذكرة تتضمن اسم المقبوض عليه، ونوع الجريمة، ومكانـها، والوقت، والتاريخ، وأسباب القبض.
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 19 explained in plain English
This article of the Regulations interprets an aspect of Article 33 of the Criminal Procedure Law on arresting the accused, and contains two rules:
- Meaning of sufficient evidence: it is external signs consisting of strong indications and signs that justify placing a person within the circle of accusation. Mere suspicion or weak conjecture is not enough; strong, apparent indications and signs are required. The assessment of this evidence is for the criminal investigation officer.
- Informing the Authority of arrest of a person caught in the act: if the criminal investigation officer arrests an accused caught in the act under Article 33 of the Law, he informs the Authority by a memorandum containing: the name of the person arrested, the type of the crime, its place, the time, the date, and the reasons for the arrest.
The practical meaning is that an arrest must rest on strong signs with an external appearance, and that the decision to arrest in flagrante delicto must be documented by a written memorandum to the Authority explaining its reasons. This is followed by Article 20, which sets when the twenty-four-hour period begins.
This article does not specify when a situation counts as being caught in the act, which is a matter for the provisions of the Law. Anyone who has been arrested, or whose relative has, and wants to know whether the procedure was sound may consult a lawyer specializing in criminal cases.
Practical example
A criminal investigation officer in Riyadh saw a person leaving a shop with a broken lock with devices in his hand, and arrested him in the act. He must inform the Authority by a memorandum containing the name of the person arrested, the type of the crime, its place, time and date, and the reasons for the arrest.
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 19 of the Saudi Implementing Regulations of the Criminal Procedure Law
What is meant by sufficient evidence for arresting the accused?
External signs of strong indications and signs that justify placing the person within the circle of accusation.
Who assesses the existence of sufficient evidence?
Under paragraph 1 of this article, its assessment is for the criminal investigation officer.
What does the memorandum informing the Authority of an arrest in the act contain?
The name of the person arrested, the type of the crime, its place, time, date, and the reasons for the arrest.
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 15
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.
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 ا
- 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.
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.