Article 14 of the Saudi Juvenile Law
المادة 14 من نظام الأحداث
The article provides for trying the juvenile in his or her presence and that of the guardian or a facility representative, with the right to a lawyer, and lets the court excuse them from attending at the request of an interested person.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
تجرى محاكمة الحدث أمام المحكمة بحضوره وولي أمره أو من يقوم مقامه، فإن تعذر ذلك فمندوب من الدار، وذلك دون الإخلال بحق الحدث في الاستعانة بمحامٍ وفق الأحكام المقررة نظاماً.
وللمحكمة -بناء على طلب مَنْ له مصلحة- أن تسمح بعدم حضور الحدث أو ولي أمره أو من يقوم مقامه للمحاكمة، ويكتفى بحضور من يمثله وتعد المحاكمة حضورية في حقه.
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 14 explained in plain English
This article regulates who attends a juvenile's trial:
- The rule: the trial is held before the court in the presence of the juvenile and his or her guardian or whoever stands in his place.
- If attendance is not possible: if the guardian or whoever stands in his place cannot attend, a representative of the facility attends.
- A lawyer: all of this is without prejudice to the juvenile's right to be assisted by a lawyer under the provisions established by law.
The article then permits an exception: the court, at the request of an interested person, may allow the juvenile or his or her guardian or whoever stands in his place not to attend the trial. In that case the presence of whoever represents the juvenile is sufficient, and the trial is deemed to be in his or her presence, that is, treated as if he or she had attended.
Note that excusing attendance is not automatic; it needs a request from an interested person, and the decision rests with the court.
Under Article 1, the court means the court or circuit competent to hear juvenile cases, and the facility is a body affiliated with the Ministry of Labor and Social Development. Before the trial, Article 13 provides that a charge decision is sufficient without a statement of claim, except in cases that require three judges to hear them, and after it Article 15 sets out the measures and penalties that may be imposed on the juvenile.
To appoint a lawyer to attend with the juvenile or represent him or her, you can contact a lawyer specializing in criminal and juvenile cases.
Practical example
A 16-year-old in Buraidah is to stand trial, and his father is away for medical treatment and cannot attend. Under this article a representative of the facility attends with the young man, and he has the right to be assisted by a lawyer. If an interested person asks for the young man to be excused from attending and the court agrees, the presence of whoever represents him is sufficient and the trial is deemed to be in his presence.
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 14 of the Saudi Juvenile Law
Must a guardian attend a juvenile's trial?
The trial is held in the presence of the juvenile and his guardian or whoever stands in his place; if that is not possible, a representative of the facility attends.
Does a juvenile have the right to appoint a lawyer?
Yes, without prejudice to the juvenile's right to be assisted by a lawyer under the provisions established by law.
Can a juvenile be excused from attending the trial?
The court may, at the request of an interested person, allow him not to attend; the presence of whoever represents him is sufficient, and the trial is deemed to be in his presence.
More articles on Trial of a Juvenile
- 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
- Article 22
The article applies the Law of Criminal Procedure to a juvenile where the Juvenile Law has no provision, to the extent it does not conflict with his or her status as a juvenile.
فيما لم يرد فيه نص في النظام، تطبق أحكام نظام الإجراءات الجزائية على الحدث، وذلك بالقدر الذي لا يتعارض مع وضعه بوصفه حدثاً.
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.