Article 28 of the Saudi Implementing Regulations of the Criminal Procedure Law
المادة 28 من اللائحة التنفيذية لنظام الإجراءات الجزائية · الفصل الثالث: تفتيش الأشخاص والمساكن
The article sets who issues the order to search homes and the permit to search other places, what they must contain, a period of no more than seven days, and requires that a crime has actually occurred for a search to be valid.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
1- يصدر أمر تفتيش المساكن من رئيس فرع الهيئة في المنطقة أو من يفوضه.
2 - يصدر إذن تفتيش غير المساكن من محقق مختص مكاناً ونوعاً.
3 - يصدر الأمر والإذن بالتفتيش كتابةً، ويجب أن يتضمن كلٌّ منهما اسم من أصدره، وتوقيعه، ووظيفته، وساعة صدوره، وتاريخه، وتعيين ما يراد تفتيشه، وأن تُحدد فيه مدة معينة لا تزيد على سبعة أيام لتنفيذ التفتيش، وأن يكون الأمر أو الإذن مسبباً بما يوفر القناعة بقيام الجريمة وجدية الاتـهام. ويكفي أن يُحال التسبيب إلى ما ورد في محضر رجل الضبط الجنائي.
4 - لا يكون التفتيش صحيحاً، إلا إذا كان بصدد جريمة قـد وقعت فعلاً بدلائل وأمارات كافية.
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 28 explained in plain English
This article of the Regulations sets the basic controls for issuing search orders, and distinguishes between a home and other places:
- Searching homes: the order to search them is issued by the head of the Authority's branch in the region or his delegate.
- Searching places other than homes: the permit to search them is issued by an investigator competent by place and type of case.
- Form and content of the order and permit: they are issued in writing, and each must contain: the name, signature and position of whoever issued it, the hour and date of issue, identification of what is to be searched, and a specified period of no more than seven days for carrying it out. It must be reasoned so as to provide the conviction that the crime has occurred and the accusation is serious, and it is enough in giving reasons to refer to what is in the criminal investigation officer's record.
- Condition for a valid search: a search is valid only if it concerns a crime that has actually occurred, with sufficient evidence and signs.
The practical meaning is that searching a home requires an order from a higher level than searching other places, that the order must be in writing, specified as to place and period, and reasoned, and that a search is not valid for a crime expected to occur in the future but only for one that has actually occurred. It is followed by Article 29, which regulates carrying out the search, including that it may not be carried out after the period specified in it has passed.
Anyone whose home or shop was searched and who doubts the soundness of the order may consult a lawyer specializing in criminal cases.
Practical example
An investigating body in Riyadh suspected that a person was hiding stolen goods in his home and warehouse. Searching the home requires a written order from the head of the Authority's branch or his delegate, and searching the warehouse requires a permit from a competent investigator. Each must specify what is to be searched and a period not exceeding seven days, and must be reasoned.
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 28 of the Saudi Implementing Regulations of the Criminal Procedure Law
Who issues an order to search a home in Saudi Arabia?
The head of the Authority's branch in the region or his delegate.
How long is a search order valid?
It must specify a period of no more than seven days for carrying out the search.
Who authorizes searching shops and places other than homes?
An investigator competent by place and type of case.
When is a search valid?
If it concerns a crime that has actually occurred, with sufficient evidence and signs.
More articles on Searching Persons and Homes
- Article 29
The article governs delegating an officer to search, bars carrying out a search after its period or more than once, requires informing the homeowner, and bars searching a non-accused without sufficient evidence.
1- لعضو الهيئة المختص بالتحقيق أن يُجري التفتيش بنفسه، وله أن يندب أحد رجال الضبط الجنائي المختصين لإجرائه. ولا يُشترط لإصدار أمر الندب أن يسبقه تحقيق، ولا أن ي
- Article 30
The article explains the scope of searching the accused under Article 43 of the Law, allows lawful means if he refuses, and sets controls for searching a female accused.
1- يشمل تفتيش المتهم - وفقاً للمادة (الثالثة والأربعين) من النظام - البحث عما يكون في جسده، وما يتصل به من أشياء تستمد حرمتها من هذا الاتصال، وكذا ما يحمله من أ
- Article 31
The article requires the search to stop as soon as the items related to the crime for which the search was permitted are found.
يجب وقف التفتيش فور العثور على الأشياء الخاصة بالجريمة الجاري جمع المعلومات عنها أو التحقيق في شأنها التي من أجلها أجيز التفتيش.
- Article 32
The article requires the district mayor or equivalent to attend a home search at the searcher's request if the owner, his representative or a family member cannot attend.
1- إن تعذر حضور صاحب المسكن أو من ينيبه أو أحد أفراد أسرته الكامل الأهلية المقيم معه تفتيش المسكن؛ فعلى عمدة الحي ومن في حكمه حضور التفتيش عند طلب المفتِّش ذلك.
- Article 33
The article requires a search record to be drawn up even if nothing is seized, and sets its language, the conditions for its soundness, and its additional contents.
1 - يُعد محضر التفتيش - المشار إليه في المادة (الثامنة والأربعين) من النظام - ولو لم يسفر التفتيش عن ضبط شيء. 2 - يُكتب محضر التفتيش باللغة العربية، ويُحرَّر بد
- Article 34
The article requires the name, identity details and address of the woman accompanying a search of a home occupied only by the accused woman to be recorded, along with her statement where necessary.
يجب أن يسجل اسم المرأة المرافقة للقائمين بتفتيش المسكن الذي ليس فيه إلا المرأة المتهمة، وكذلك البيانات اللازمة لإثبات شخصيتها وعنوانـها في محضر التفتيش. وتدون إ
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.