Article 75 of the Saudi Implementing Regulations of the Criminal Procedure Law
المادة 75 من اللائحة التنفيذية لنظام الإجراءات الجزائية · الفصل السابع: التكليف بالحضور وأمر القبض والإحضار
This article of the Regulations requires the person required for investigation to be notified of the summons at least 24 hours before the investigation unless urgency requires otherwise, with the recipient's signature taken or his refusal noted.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
يجب أن يبلغ الشخص الذي يُطلب التحقيق معه - وفق ما نصت عليه المادة (الخامسة بعد المائة) من النظام - بأمر الحضور قبل (أربع وعشرين) ساعة على الأقل من موعد التحقيق، ما لم يستدع الأمر الاستعجال، ويؤخذ توقيع مَنْ تسلّم الأمر بالحضور، وعند امتناعه يشار إلى ذلك في أصل الأمر، وفي كل الأحوال يعاد أصل الأمر للمحقق.
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 75 explained in plain English
This article of the Implementing Regulations of the Criminal Procedure Law regulates notifying the person required for investigation of the summons, as provided in Article 105 of the Law.
It contains the following provisions:
- The period: The person must be notified of the summons at least 24 hours before the time of the investigation, so that he can prepare and attend.
- The exception: This period is not required if urgency calls for otherwise. The article does not specify forms of urgency.
- Signature: The signature of the person who received the summons is taken.
- Refusal: If he refuses to sign, this is noted on the original of the order.
- Returning the original: In all cases the original of the order is returned to the investigator.
A refusal to sign therefore does not stop the procedure; it is noted on the original of the order, which returns to the investigator. The article does not state what follows if the person does not attend after being notified.
This article is in Chapter Seven of the Regulations on summoning, and arrest and bringing orders, and is followed by Article 76, which provides that issuing an order of arrest and bringing does not necessarily mean the accused is detained. It is preceded by Article 74 on validating the accused's confession before a judicial circuit competent by subject matter.
If you receive a summons to attend an investigation, it is best to consult a lawyer who specializes in criminal cases before the appointed time.
Practical example
Naif in Taif received a summons to attend an investigation at ten o'clock on Thursday morning. As a rule he should have received the order at least 24 hours before this time unless there was urgency, and he signs for receiving it; if he refused to sign, that would be noted on the original of the order.
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 75 of the Saudi Implementing Regulations of the Criminal Procedure Law
How long must there be between notification of the summons and the time of the investigation?
The notification must be at least 24 hours before the time of the investigation, unless urgency requires otherwise.
What happens if I refuse to sign the summons?
The refusal is noted on the original of the order, and in all cases the original is returned to the investigator.
Can I be summoned for an investigation with less than 24 hours' notice?
Yes, if urgency requires it, according to the text of the article.
More articles on Detention and Temporary Release
- Article 24
The article sets the grounds for detention during investigation, requires the detention department to notify the issuing body before the period ends and release at once if no extension comes, and governs detaining women and juveniles.
1 - أسباب التوقيف أثناء التحقيق هي: أ) إذا كانت الجريمة من الجرائم الكبيرة. ب) إذا استوجبت مصلحة التحقيق توقيف المتهم. ج) إذا لم يعين المتهم مكاناً يوافق عليه ا
- Article 76
This article of the Regulations provides that issuing an order of arrest and bringing under Article 107 of the Law does not necessarily mean the accused is detained.
لا يلزم من صدور الأمر بالقبض والإحضار - وفقاً للمادة (السابعة بعد المائة) من النظام - توقيف المتهم.
- Article 77
This article of the Regulations requires the investigator to issue an order placing an arrested person in the place of detention if he cannot be interrogated at once, recording the reason, and allows another investigator to be assigned if the reason lies with the investigator.
1- إذا قرر المحقق إيداع المتهم المقبوض عليه مكان التوقيف لتعذر استجوابه فور القبض عليه بحسب ما نصت عليه المادة (التاسعة بعد المائة) من النظام؛ فيُصدِر أمراً بذل
- Article 78
This article of the Regulations requires the investigator, as soon as he learns of the accused's objection to transfer or that his health does not permit it, to order release, continued detention, delegation or transfer.
على المحقق فور تبلغه باعتراض المتهم على نقله - استناداً إلى المادة (الحادية عشرة بعد المائة) من النظام - أو بأن حالته الصحية لا تسمح بالنقل؛ أن يُصدر أمره فوراً
- Article 79
This article of the Regulations specifies the details a detention order must contain, including the accused's name, the type of crime, the reasons for the order and the period of detention.
يجب أن يشتمل أمر التوقيف - الصادر استناداً إلى المادة (الثالثة عشرة بعد المائة) من النظام - على الآتي: أ) اسم الشخص المطلوب توقيفه كاملاً، وجنسيته، ومهنته، ومحل
- Article 80
This article of the Regulations requires a copy of the detention order to be kept in the case file and the detainee to be enabled to file a grievance, and specifies the body to which the grievance is submitted according to who issued the order or extension.
1- على المحقق أن يحفظ نسخة من أمر التوقيف في ملف القضية. 2 - على جهة التوقيف تمكين الموقوف احتياطياً من تقديم التظلم على أمر توقيفه استناداً إلى المادة (الخامسة
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.