Article 140 of the Saudi Criminal Procedure Law
المادة 140 من نظام الإجراءات الجزائية · الفصل الثاني: حضور الخصوم
Article 140 covers a defendant who was summoned but does not appear and sends no agent: the judge hears the case and evidence but rules only once the defendant attends, and may order detention if the absence is unexcused.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
إذا لم يحضر المتهم المكلف بالحضور بحسب النظام في اليوم المعين في ورقة التكليف بالحضور، ولم يرسل وكيلًا عنه في الأحوال التي يسوغ فيها التوكيل؛ فيسمع القاضي دعوى المدعي وبيِّناته ويرصدها في ضبط القضية، ولا يحكم إلا بعد حضور المتهم. وللقاضي أن يصدر أمرًا بتوقيفه إذا لم يكن تخلفه لعذر مقبول.
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 140 explained in plain English
This article deals with the defendant's absence from the session, and it applies when the following conditions are met:
- The defendant was summoned to appear in accordance with the Law.
- The defendant does not appear on the day set in the summons.
- The defendant does not send an agent in cases where appointing an agent is permitted.
If these conditions are met, the rule is as follows:
- The judge hears the plaintiff's claim and evidence and records them in the case record, so the case is not held up because of the absence.
- The judge rules only after the defendant appears. The text prevents a judgment from being issued in the defendant's absence.
- The judge may issue an order for the defendant's detention if the absence is not for an acceptable excuse.
This article is connected to Article 139, which distinguishes between serious offenses in which the defendant must appear in person and other offenses in which the defendant may delegate an agent or a lawyer. Sending an agent does not prevent the absence rule from applying except where appointing an agent is permitted. Article 141 applies a similar rule where several defendants are charged in the same incident and some of them fail to appear.
A person who cannot attend a session for a valid reason should contact a lawyer specialized in criminal cases about that excuse.
Practical example
Nasser was summoned to appear before the court in Jeddah in a case of a type in which appointing an agent is permitted, but he did not appear and did not send an agent. The judge heard the plaintiff's claim and evidence and recorded them in the case record without ruling. Because Nasser gave no acceptable excuse, the judge was permitted to issue an order for his detention.
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 140 of the Saudi Criminal Procedure Law
What happens if the defendant does not attend the court session?
If the defendant was summoned and did not send an agent where an agent is permitted, the judge hears the plaintiff's claim and evidence and records them in the case record, and rules only after the defendant appears.
Can a judgment be issued against an absent defendant?
No. The article provides that the judge rules only after the defendant appears.
Can the defendant be detained because of the absence?
Yes. The judge may issue an order for the defendant's detention if the absence is not for an acceptable excuse.
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.