Article 98 of the Saudi Implementing Regulations of the Criminal Procedure Law
المادة 98 من اللائحة التنفيذية لنظام الإجراءات الجزائية · الفصل الثاني: حضور الخصوم
The article sets that the accused may not send an agent in his place in serious-crime cases, and regulates the effect of his absence, acceptance of his excuse, and the related detention order.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
1- الأحوال التي لا يسوغ للمتهم فيها إرسال وكيل عنه للحضور أمام المحكمة - وفقاً للمادة (الأربعين بعد المائة) من النظام - هي قضايا الجرائم الكبيرة.
2 - إذا رصدت دعوى المدعي وبيناته في ضبط الدعوى، وتعذر الحكم في الدعوى لغياب المتهم؛ فيفهم المدعي بأن له مواصلة الدعوى عند حضور المتهم.
3 - يرجع في قبول عذر المتهم في التخلف عن الموعد المحدد للحضور أمام المحكمة؛ إلى من ينظر القضية.
4 - أمر التوقيف المنصوص عليه في المادة (الأربعين بعد المائة) من النظام لا يخضع لحكم المادة (السابعة عشرة بعد المائة) من النظام.
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 98 explained in plain English
This article of the Regulations explains aspects of Article 140 of the Criminal Procedure Law on the accused's attendance before the court, and contains four provisions:
- When personal attendance is required: the cases in which the accused may not send an agent in his place are serious-crime cases, which under Article 1 of the Regulations are crimes requiring detention under Article 112 of the Law.
- Effect of absence on the claimant: if the claimant's claim and evidence have been recorded in the case record and judgment is not possible because of the accused's absence, the claimant is informed that he may continue the case when the accused appears.
- Excuse for failing to appear: accepting the accused's excuse for failing to attend on the date is for whoever is hearing the case.
- Detention order: the detention order provided for in Article 140 of the Law is not subject to the provision of Article 117 of the Law.
The fourth paragraph refers to two articles of the Law without explaining their content, so refer to them directly to learn the effect of this exception.
If you have a pending case and need advice on your specific situation, it is best to consult a lawyer who specializes in criminal cases.
Practical example
Majed was accused in a serious-crime case, and wanted to send only his lawyer to the hearing because he was busy. He may not do that in this type of case, and if he fails to appear on the date, accepting his excuse is for the judge hearing the case.
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 98 of the Saudi Implementing Regulations of the Criminal Procedure Law
May the accused send a lawyer to the hearing in his place?
He may not in serious-crime cases, according to paragraph 1 of Article 98 of the Implementing Regulations.
Who accepts the accused's excuse for failing to attend the hearing?
Accepting the excuse is for whoever is hearing the case.
What happens to the claimant's case if the accused is absent?
If the claim and evidence have been recorded in the case record and judgment is not possible because of the accused's absence, the claimant is informed that he may continue the case when the accused appears.
More articles on Criminal Trial Procedures
- Article 7
The article explains that the acts mentioned in Article 20 of the Law are those occurring outside the session, and sets referral to a larger number of judges when needed and hearing them in a separate record.
1- يُقصد بالأفعال المشار إليها في المادة (العشرين) من النظام؛ ما كان خارج الجلسة، وتطبق فيما كان داخلها أحكام الفصل (الثالث) من الباب (السادس) من النظام وأحكام
- Article 91
This article of the Regulations leaves it to the court hearing the case to assess whether judgment in a criminal case depends on the result of another criminal case, and requires it, if it stays the case, to inform the other court.
1- يُرجع في تقدير توقف الحكم في الدعوى الجزائية على نتيجة الفصل في دعوى جزائية أخرى؛ إلى المحكمة التي تنظر الدعوى الجزائية. 2 - إذا قررت المحكمة وقف دعوى منظورة
- Article 92
This article of the Regulations provides that if a court or circuit finds it lacks jurisdiction it refers the case by decision to the competent one, and if the second also finds it lacks jurisdiction the matter goes to the Supreme Court to designate the competent one.
إذا رأت محكمة أو دائرة عدم اختصاصها في دعوى مرفوعة إليها وأنها من اختصاص محكمة أو دائرة أخرى، فتصدر قراراً بذلك، وتحيلها إلى المحكمة أو الدائرة الأخرى ، فإن رأت
- Article 93
This article of the Regulations requires that if a case is brought before two courts or circuits and each decides it has jurisdiction, they stop hearing it and send the papers to the Supreme Court to designate the competent one.
إذا رفعت دعوى إلى محكمتين أو دائرتين وقررت كل منهما اختصاصها؛ فتصدر كل منهما قراراً بذلك، ويجب عليهما إيقاف نظر الدعوى ورفع الأوراق إلى المحكمة العليا عن طريق ا
- Article 94
The article leaves it to the competent judicial circuit to assess the necessity that allows shortening the time to appear, and the length of the extension the accused requests to prepare a defense.
يعود إلى الدائرة القضائية المختصة بنظر الدعوى تقدير الضرورة التي تجيز إنقاص موعد الحضور في الدعوى الجزائية وتقدير مدة المهلة التي يطلب المتهم منحه إياها لإعداد
- Article 95
If the accused's place of residence cannot be found after adequate searching, the bailiff draws up a detailed report, and the bailiffs' department hands a copy of the notice to the emirate, governorate or center responsible for the place of notification.
إذا تعذرت معرفة مكان إقامة المتهم بعد البحث الكافي عنه وبعد الاستعانة بالجهات الأخرى ذات العلاقة - لتبليغه بالحضور أمام المحكمة وفق ما قضت به المادة (السابعة وا
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.