Article 15 of the Saudi Penal Law on Forgery Crimes
المادة 15 من النظام الجزائي لجرائم التزوير · الفصل الرابع تزوير المحررات أولاً: الصور العادية
The article punishes any competent person who forges examination answer papers or the data recording their results with imprisonment of up to 6 months and a fine of up to SAR 60,000, or either.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
كل مختص زوّر في أوراق إجابات الاختبارات الدراسية أو بيانات رصد نتائجها، يعاقب بالسجن مدة لا تتجاوز ستة أشهر وبغرامة لا تزيد على ستين ألف ريال، أو بإحدى هاتين العقوبتين.
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 15 explained in plain English
This article protects the integrity of school examinations, and punishes any competent person who forges:
- Examination answer papers.
- The data recording their results, that is, the recorded grades and results.
The text is directed at the competent person, meaning someone connected with these papers or data by virtue of his work, such as one who marks them or records the grades.
The penalty is:
- Imprisonment for a period not exceeding 6 months.
- And a fine of up to SAR 60,000.
- Or either of these two penalties.
Because a document under Article 1 includes information technology means, the recording data in electronic systems are covered by the protection. The elements of forgery in the same article must be present, such as altering the truth in bad faith and with intent to use, and being capable of causing harm.
The penalty in this article is lighter than that of Article 14 on medical reports and certificates (imprisonment of up to one year and a fine of up to SAR 100,000, or either), and heavier than that of Article 16 on documents recording an employee's attendance and departure (imprisonment of up to 3 months and a fine of up to SAR 30,000, or either).
Anyone facing an accusation of this kind is advised to consult a lawyer who specializes in criminal cases.
Practical example
A teacher assigned to record class grades in the school's electronic system raised a student's grade in a subject he had not passed so that he would pass. This is forgery by a competent person in the data recording results, and its penalty is imprisonment of up to 6 months and a fine of up to SAR 60,000, or either.
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 15 of the Saudi Penal Law on Forgery Crimes
What is the penalty for changing students' grades?
If done by a competent person in the answer papers or the data recording results, the penalty is imprisonment of up to 6 months and a fine of up to SAR 60,000, or either.
Does the text cover electronic grade data?
The definition of a document in Article 1 includes information technology means, so what is recorded electronically is covered.
More articles on Forgery in Exams and Attendance Records
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.