Article 138 of the Saudi Criminal Procedure Law
المادة 138 من نظام الإجراءات الجزائية · الفصل الأول: إبلاغ الخصوم
The article provides that detainees or prisoners are notified through the head of the detention facility or prison, or whoever takes his place.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
يكون إبلاغ الموقوفين أو المسجونين بوساطة مدير التوقيف أو السجن أو مَنْ يقوم مقامهما.
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 138 explained in plain English
This article lays down a special provision on notifying a specific category of parties, namely detainees and prisoners. Since these people are not at their usual places of residence, they are notified through the head of the detention facility or prison, or whoever takes his place.
This provision differs from the general rule in Article 137, which provides that the summons to appear is served on the accused himself or at his place of residence according to the rules of the Law of Sharia Procedure, and explains how to serve when the place of residence cannot be found. Someone who is detained or imprisoned is notified through the administration of the place of detention or prison.
It should be noted that the text is general in its wording: it speaks of "notifying detainees or prisoners" without limiting it to a particular kind of paper. The article does not explain the procedures for carrying out the notification inside the detention facility or prison, so details that do not appear in it should not be assumed.
It is followed by Article 139, which regulates the accused's appearance before the court and his right to seek the help of someone to defend him. Anyone with a detained relative who wants to be sure he was notified may seek the help of a lawyer specialized in criminal cases.
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 138 of the Saudi Criminal Procedure Law
How is a detainee or prisoner notified in a case?
He is notified through the head of the detention facility or prison, or whoever takes his place.
Is a prisoner notified at his home?
No. The text provides that detainees and prisoners are notified through the head of the detention facility or prison or whoever takes his place.
More articles on Criminal Trial Procedures
- Article 1
The article requires the courts to apply Sharia rules and the regulations that do not conflict with the Quran and the Sunnah, and to observe the procedures of the Criminal Procedure Law when hearing cases.
تطبق المحاكم على القضايا المعروضة أمامها أحكام الشريعة الإسلامية، وفقًا لما دل عليه الكتاب والسنة، وما يصدره ولي الأمر من أنظمة لا تتعارض مع الكتاب والسنة، وتتق
- Article 5
The article bars referring a case already brought before a court to another court or body, or anyone withdrawing it, before judgment, and treats the case as brought from the date it is registered at the court.
إذا رفعت قضية إلى محكمة فلا تجوز إحالتها إلى محكمة أو جهة أخرى ولا يحق لأحد سحبها منها قبل الحكم فيها، وتعد القضية مرفوعة من تاريخ قيدها في المحكمة.
- Article 6
The article makes trying the accused the role of the courts under Sharia requirements and the Law's procedures, and allows the court to consider facts the public prosecutor did not allege if they need no investigation.
تتولى المحاكم محاكمة المتهمين فيما يسند إليهم من تهم وفقًا للمقتضى الشرعي وطبقًا للإجراءات المنصوص عليها في هذا النظام. وللمحكمة أن تنظر في وقائع غير مدعى بها م
- Article 7
The article requires the number of judges required by law to attend the sessions hearing a case and the judgment session, and says who is assigned to complete the quorum if the number is not met.
يجب أن يحضر جلسات النظر في القضية وجلسة إصدار الحكم العدد اللازم نظامًا من القضاة؛ فإن لم يتوافر العدد اللازم فيكلف رئيس المحكمة من يكمل النصاب من قضاتها، فإن ت
- Article 12
The article refers the investigation of juveniles and girls, and their trial, to the laws and regulations governing that.
يكون التحقيق مع الأحداث والفتيات ومحاكمتهم وفقًا للأنظمة واللوائح المنظمة لذلك.
- Article 18
The article provides that if the court finds a conflict between the interest of the victim or his heir and that of his representative, the representative is barred from continuing to plead and another representative is appointed.
إذا ظهر للمحكمة تعارض بين مصلحة المجني عليه أو وارثه من بعده وبين مصلحة نائبه؛ فَيُمْنَع النائب من الاستمرار في المرافعة، ويقام نائب آخر.
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.