Article 21 of the Saudi Implementing Regulations of the Criminal Procedure Law
المادة 21 من اللائحة التنفيذية لنظام الإجراءات الجزائية · الفصل الثاني: القبض على المتهم
The article sets the contents of an arrest order, regulates entering a home to carry it out, overcoming resistance, searching the arrested person, and isolating him in serious crimes.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
1- يجب أن يشتمل أمر القبض المشار إليه في المادة (الثالثة والثلاثين) والمادة (الخامسة والثلاثين) من النظام على تاريخ الأمر، واسم من أصدره، ووظيفته، واسم المتهم، ولقبه - بما يزيل التباسه بغيره - والتهمةِ المسندة إليه، وما يتوافر من معلومات عن مهنته، ومكان إقامته، وجنسيته.
2 - لرجل الضبط الجنائي الذي يقوم بتنفيذ أمر القبض أن يدخل مسكن المتهم إذا اشتمل الأمر على الدخول، وله أن يدخل مسكناً آخر لهذا الغرض إذا كان ذلك أثناء مطاردة المتهم.
3 - لمن يقوم بالقبض استناداً إلى المادة (الثالثة والثلاثين) أو المادة (الخامسة والثلاثين) من النظام أن يتخذ الإجراءات اللازمة لتنفيذه، والتغلب على أي مقاومة، في حدود ما تقتضيه الضرورة في ضوء الأنظمة. وله أن يُفتِّش المقبوض عليه؛ لتجريده من أي أسلحة، أو أشياء قد يستعملها في المقاومة أو في إيذاء نفسه أو غيره، وأن يضبطها، ويُدون ذلك في المحضر.
4 - على رجل الضبط الجنائي عزل المتهم عن غيره فور القبض عليه في الجرائم الكبيرة، وذلك إلى حين عرضه على المحقق ليقرر ما يراه في ذلك.
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 21 explained in plain English
This article of the Regulations governs the arrest order issued under Articles 33 and 35 of the Criminal Procedure Law and how it is carried out:
- Contents of the arrest order: the date of the order, the name and position of whoever issued it, the name and nickname of the accused sufficient to remove confusion with others, the charge attributed to him, and the available information on his profession, place of residence and nationality.
- Entering the home: whoever carries out the arrest order may enter the accused's home if the order includes entry, and may enter another home for this purpose if this is during pursuit of the accused.
- Execution and resistance: whoever makes the arrest may take the necessary steps to carry it out and overcome any resistance, within what necessity requires in light of the laws. He may search the arrested person to strip him of weapons or things he might use in resisting or harming himself or others, and seize them and record that in the record.
- Isolation in serious crimes: the officer must isolate the accused from others immediately on arresting him in serious crimes, until he is presented to the investigator to decide what he sees fit. Serious crimes, under Article 1 of the Regulations, are crimes that require detention under Article 112 of the Law.
The article thus grants powers of execution and sets limits on them: entry is tied to the text of the order or to pursuit, force is limited to necessity, and the search here is aimed at removing what might be used in resistance or harm. Anyone who believes that an arrest was carried out outside these limits may consult a lawyer specializing in criminal cases.
Practical example
An arrest order was issued against an accused in Riyadh that included entering his home. The officer entered the home, and on arrest searched him, found a knife on him, seized it and recorded this in the record. And if the accused had fled and entered his neighbor's house during pursuit, the officer could enter it to arrest him.
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 21 of the Saudi Implementing Regulations of the Criminal Procedure Law
What must an arrest order contain?
Its date, the name and position of whoever issued it, the name and nickname of the accused, the charge, and what is available on his profession, place of residence and nationality.
Can the police enter my home to carry out an arrest order?
Entering the accused's home is permitted if the order includes entry, and entering another home during pursuit of the accused.
Can the arrested person be searched?
Yes, to strip him of weapons or things he might use in resisting or harming himself or others, with this recorded in the record.
May force be used in the arrest?
Resistance may be overcome within what necessity requires in light of the laws.
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.