Article 31 of the Saudi Criminal Procedure Law
المادة 31 من نظام الإجراءات الجزائية · الفصل الثاني: التلبس بالجريمة
The article requires the judicial police officer, in a flagrant crime, to go immediately to the scene, inspect it, preserve its traces, hear those present and notify the Investigation and Public Prosecution of his going.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
يجب على رجل الضبط الجنائي – في حال التلبس بالجريمة - أن ينتقل فورًا إلى مكان وقوعها ويعاين آثارها المادية ويحافظ عليها، ويثبت حال الأماكن والأشخاص، وكل ما يفيد في كشف الحقيقة، وأن يسمع أقوال من كان حاضرًا، أو من يمكن الحصول منه على معلومات في شأن الواقعة ومرتكبها. ويجب عليه أن يبلغ هيئة التحقيق والادعاء العام فورًا بانتقاله.
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 31 explained in plain English
This article sets out what the judicial police officer must do when a crime is flagrant, that is, while it is being committed or shortly afterward, as Article 30 explains.
The duties the article imposes are:
- Going immediately to the scene of the crime, without delay.
- Inspecting the physical traces of the crime and preserving them so that they are not lost or tampered with.
- Recording the condition of places and persons and everything that helps reveal the truth.
- Hearing the statements of anyone present, or from whom information about the incident and its perpetrator can be obtained.
- Notifying the Investigation and Public Prosecution immediately of his going to the place.
The purpose of these duties is to preserve the evidence in its first moments and to involve the investigating authority early in the case through immediate notification. Article 32 supplements these powers, as it allows the judicial police officer to prevent those present from leaving the place until the record is drawn up, and to summon on the spot anyone who has information.
A witness or injured person present at the scene may give the judicial police officer what he knows, and anyone who is a party to a case and wants to know the effect of these measures on his position may consult a lawyer specialized in criminal cases.
Practical example
A brawl broke out in a market in Dammam in which a person was injured, and a patrol arrived minutes later. The judicial police officer must here inspect the scene and preserve the traces in it, record the condition of the injured person and those present, hear the statements of the vendors who saw what happened, and notify the Investigation and Public Prosecution immediately of his going to the market.
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 31 of the Saudi Criminal Procedure Law
What must the police do when a crime is flagrant?
The judicial police officer must go immediately to the scene, inspect and preserve its physical traces, record the condition of places and persons, and hear the statements of those present and of anyone who has information.
Must the Investigation and Public Prosecution be notified when going to the crime scene?
Yes. The article requires the judicial police officer to notify the Authority immediately of his going to the scene of the flagrant crime.
When is a crime flagrant?
Under Article 30, a crime is flagrant while being committed or shortly afterward, including when the victim or the public, shouting, pursue the perpetrator, or when something is found with him indicating that he is the perpetrator or an accomplice.
More articles on Arrest and Flagrant Offenses
- Article 2
The article bars arresting, searching, detaining or imprisoning any person except in the cases provided by law, and prohibits harming, torturing or degrading an arrested person.
لا يجوز القبض على أي إنسان، أو تفتيشه، أو توقيفه، أو سجنه، إلا في الأحوال المنصوص عليها نظامًا، ولا يكون التوقيف أو السجن إلا في الأماكن المخصصة لكل منهما وللمد
- Article 14
The article requires all officers of public authority to carry out the orders of judicial bodies issued under the Law, and allows them to use the appropriate means to carry them out.
على جميع رجال السلطة العامة أن ينفذوا أوامر الجهات القضائية الصادرة طبقًا لهذا النظام، ولهم أن يستعملوا الوسيلة المناسبة لتنفيذها.
- Article 24
The article defines judicial police officers as the persons who search for the perpetrators of crimes and gather the information and evidence needed for investigation and bringing charges.
رجال الضبط الجنائي هم الأشخاص الذين يقومون بالبحث عن مرتكبي الجرائم وجمع المعلومات والأدلة اللازمة للتحقيق وتوجيه الاتهام.
- Article 25Amended (1443 AH)
The article places judicial police officers, in their judicial police functions, under the supervision of the Public Prosecution, and allows it to request disciplinary accountability for violators or negligent officers, without prejudice to the right to bring a criminal action.
يخضع رجال الضبط الجنائي - فيما يتعلق بوظائفهم في الضبط الجنائي المقررة في هذا النظام - لإشراف النيابة العامة. وللنيابة العامة أن تطلب من الجهة المختصة النظر في
- Article 26
The article lists the categories that carry out judicial police work, each according to its assigned tasks, from members of the Investigation and Public Prosecution and police directors to those authorized by special laws.
يقوم بأعمال الضبط الجنائي - بحسب المهمات الموكولة إليه - كل من: 1 - أعضاء هيئة التحقيق والادعاء العام، في مجال اختصاصهم. 2 - مديري الشرط ومعاونيهم في المدن والم
- Article 27
The article requires judicial police officers to accept reports and complaints in all crimes, examine and document them and notify the Authority immediately, and to go to the scene to preserve it and seize the evidence.
على رجال الضبط الجنائي كل بحسب اختصاصه أن يقبلوا البلاغات والشكاوى التي ترد إليهم في جميع الجرائم، وعليهم وعلى مرءوسيهم تحت إشرافهم أن يقوموا بفحصها وجمع المعلو
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.