Article 11 of the Saudi Juvenile Law
المادة 11 من نظام الأحداث
The article bars the Public Prosecution from questioning a juvenile except in the presence of a guardian, a social researcher or specialist, or a lawyer, and makes the facility the default place.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
لا تحقق النيابة مع الحدث إلاَّ بحضور ولي أمره أو من يقوم مقامه أو باحث أو أخصائي اجتماعي أو بحضور محامٍ له, ويكون التحقيق داخل الدار. وإن اقتضت مصلحة التحقيق غير ذلك فيكون التحقيق في مكان آخر يتناسب مع عمر الحدث، وتحدد اللائحة الإجراءات والضوابط اللازمة.
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 11 explained in plain English
This article sets two basic safeguards for a juvenile when the Public Prosecution investigates him or her:
First: attendance. The Public Prosecution questions a juvenile only in the presence of one of the following:
- The juvenile's guardian or whoever stands in his place.
- A social researcher or specialist.
- A lawyer for the juvenile.
The investigation may not be held with the juvenile alone, without any of these.
Second: place. The rule is that the investigation takes place inside the facility, which under Article 1 is a body affiliated with the Ministry of Labor and Social Development designated for placing and detaining juveniles. If the interest of the investigation requires otherwise, the investigation takes place in another place that is suitable for the juvenile's age.
The article refers to the Implementing Regulations to set the procedures and controls needed for this, and does not itself give the details.
This article follows Article 10, which regulates the arresting authority hearing the juvenile's statements in places with no facility, then referring the papers to the Public Prosecution. Article 12 provides that the facility, as soon as the juvenile is placed with it, prepares a social report on his or her condition to be submitted to the court.
If the Public Prosecution summons your son or daughter for investigation and you want a lawyer to attend with him or her, you can contact a lawyer specializing in criminal and juvenile cases.
Practical example
A 16-year-old girl in Khobar is summoned by the Public Prosecution for investigation in a case. The investigation may not begin with her except in the presence of her father or whoever stands in his place, or a female social researcher or specialist, or a lawyer for her. It takes place inside the facility, unless the interest of the investigation requires another place suitable for her age.
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 11 of the Saudi Juvenile Law
Can a juvenile be questioned without his guardian?
The Public Prosecution questions a juvenile only in the presence of his guardian or whoever stands in his place, a social researcher or specialist, or a lawyer for him.
Where is a juvenile questioned?
Inside the facility. If the interest of the investigation requires otherwise, in another place suitable for the juvenile's age.
Does a juvenile have the right to a lawyer at the investigation?
Yes, the presence of a lawyer for the juvenile is one of the cases in which he may be questioned under the article.
More articles on Investigating a Juvenile
- Article 10
The article provides that in places with no juvenile facility, the juvenile's statements are heard in the presence of a guardian or Ministry representative, and he or she is handed to the guardian against an undertaking unless the Public Prosecution sees otherwise.
يسمع رئيس جهة الضبط أو من ينيبه أقوال الحدث -في الأماكن التي ليس فيها دار- بحضور ولي أمره أو من يقوم مقامه، أو مندوبٍ من الوزارة أو بما يمنع الخلوة أو الانفراد
- Article 12
The article requires the facility to prepare a social report on the juvenile as soon as he or she is placed there and submit it to the court with the case file, then to submit reports on an ongoing basis.
تُعِد الدار -فور إيداع الحدث لديها- تقريرًا اجتماعيًّا عن حالته، وتقدمه إلى المحكمة مع ملف القضية، وكلما طلبت المحكمة ذلك. وفي جميع الأحوال يجب أن تُقدِّم الدار
- Article 13
The article accepts a charge decision without a statement of claim in juvenile cases, without prejudice to the parties' right to object, and excepts cases that require three judges.
مع عدم الإخلال بحق أطراف الدعوى في الاعتراض، يكتفى في قضايا الأحداث بقرار اتهام دون حاجة إلى لائحة دعوى، ويستثنى من ذلك القضايا التي يستوجب النظر فيها ثلاثة قضا
- Article 18
The article requires the Public Prosecution, where juveniles and non-juveniles take part in a crime, to prepare a separate file for each group, and to apply the Juvenile Law's procedures and provisions to the juvenile in all cases.
إذا اشترك في الجريمة أحداث وغير أحداث تنظم النيابة ملفاً خاصاً بغير الأحداث يحال إلى المحكمة المختصة بنظرها، وملفاً خاصاً بالأحداث يحال إلى المحكمة، ما لم تكن غ
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.