Article 15 of the Saudi Juvenile Law

This is among the most important articles of the Law, as it sets what is imposed on a juvenile according to his or her age at the time of committing the act:

1. A person who has not turned fifteen: only one or more of these measures may be imposed:

• Reprimand and warning.
• Handing over to the parent he or she lives with, or to whoever has guardianship.
• A ban on frequenting certain places for a period not exceeding 3 years.
• A ban on practicing a certain job.
• Social supervision in his or her natural environment for a period not exceeding two years.
• An obligation to perform certain duties for a period not exceeding 3 years.
• Placement in a social or treatment institution for a period not exceeding one year, provided that he or she had turned twelve at the time of the act.

2. A person who has turned fifteen: the prescribed penalties apply except imprisonment, so he or she is punished by placement in the facility for a period not exceeding half the maximum of the highest penalty prescribed for the act, without being bound by its minimum. If the crime is one punishable by death, the placement is for a period not exceeding 10 years.

3. Measures alone suffice: the court may impose on a person who has turned fifteen one or more of the above measures instead of the penalty, if it considers from his or her character, past, personal circumstances or the circumstances of the act that he or she will not reoffend.

4 and 5. Execution and modification: the court assigns whichever executing bodies it sees fit to follow up the execution of the measures, and may at any time impose one or more measures, end one, or replace it with another.

Article 16 provides that the provisions of the Law do not prejudice the rulings established by Sharia in hudud and qisas crimes. To assess a juvenile's position in a particular case, it is advisable to consult a lawyer specializing in criminal and juvenile cases.