Article 13 of the Saudi Juvenile Law
المادة 13 من نظام الأحداث
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.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
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 قضاة.
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 13 explained in plain English
This article simplifies the procedures for bringing juvenile cases to court, providing that a charge decision is sufficient without the need for a statement of claim.
The article qualifies this rule in two ways:
- The right to object is preserved: accepting a charge decision does not prejudice the right of the parties to the case to object. Simplifying the procedure does not reduce the parties' rights.
- An exception: this rule does not apply to cases that require three judges to hear them.
The article does not state which cases require three judges, or the form or content of the charge decision.
This article sits between Article 12, which requires the facility to submit a social report on the juvenile to the court with the case file, and Article 14, which regulates the attendance of the juvenile and his or her guardian before the court. Under Article 1, the court means the court or circuit competent to hear juvenile cases.
To find out whether a particular case falls within the exception, you can consult a lawyer specializing in criminal and juvenile 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 13 of the Saudi Juvenile Law
Does a juvenile's case need a statement of claim?
In juvenile cases a charge decision is sufficient without a statement of claim, except in cases that require three judges to hear them.
Is the right to object lost in juvenile cases?
No. Accepting a charge decision is without prejudice to the right of the parties to the case to object.
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 11
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.
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 غي
- 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 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.