Article 4 of the Saudi Juveniles Law Implementing Regulations
المادة 4 من اللائحة التنفيذية لنظام الأحداث
Article 4 regulates arresting a juvenile: immediately notifying his guardian, placing him in the Home, banning restraints except on resistance, and informing him of the reasons for arrest and his right to a lawyer.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
1- عند القبض على الحدث في حالات التلبس؛ يبلغ ولي أمره أو من يقوم مقامه فورًا بالوسائل المتاحة، ثم يكتب محضر تدون فيه جميع البيانات اللازمة.
2- يودع رجل الضبط الحدث في الدار فور القبض عليه في حالة التلبس، على أن يراعي في إجراءات إيداع الحدث ما يمنع الخلوة أو الانفراد به.
3- في غير حالة التلبس، على رجل الضبط عدم القبض على الحدث إذا ظهر عليه ما يمنع من القبض كمرض أو نحوه، ويعدَّ محضراً بذلك ويبلغ النيابة العامة لاتخاذ اللازم.
4- يحال ملف الحدث فور القبض عليه إلى النيابة العامة.
5- يحظر استخدام القيود والأغلال عند القبض على الحدث، إلا عند مقاومته.
6- يجب عند القبض على الحدث، أن يبلَّغ الحدث وولي أمره أو من يقوم مقامه بالآتي:
أ- أسباب القبض عليه والتهمة المنسوبة إليه.
ب- حقه في الاستعانة بوكيل أو محام في مرحلة الاستدلال والتحقيق والمحاكمة.
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 4 explained in plain English
This is one of the most important articles of the Regulations because it sets the juvenile's safeguards on arrest:
When caught in the act:
- The juvenile's guardian or whoever stands in his place is notified immediately by the means available, and a report is then written with all the necessary details.
- The law enforcement officer places the juvenile in the Home as soon as he is arrested, taking care in the placement procedures to prevent being alone with him or isolating him.
When not caught in the act: the law enforcement officer does not arrest the juvenile if something appears that prevents the arrest, such as illness or the like, and draws up a report of that and notifies the Public Prosecution to take what is needed.
General provisions:
- The juvenile's file is referred to the Public Prosecution as soon as he is arrested.
- The use of restraints and shackles is prohibited when arresting a juvenile, except when he resists.
- The juvenile and his guardian or whoever stands in his place must be informed of the reasons for the arrest and the charge against him, and of his right to use an agent or lawyer in the evidence-gathering, investigation and trial stages.
After arrest, Articles 6 and 7 regulate extending detention and handing the juvenile to his guardian, and Article 8 the place where he is investigated. A guardian whose son has been arrested may consult a lawyer specializing in criminal and juvenile cases.
Practical example
A law enforcement officer arrests a 15-year-old boy caught in the act of stealing from a store in Riyadh. He notifies his father at once by phone and places him in the Home without restraining him because he did not resist. He informs him and his father of the reason for the arrest, the charge and his right to a lawyer, then refers his file to the Public Prosecution.
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 4 of the Saudi Juveniles Law Implementing Regulations
May a juvenile be restrained when arrested?
The use of restraints and shackles is prohibited when arresting a juvenile, except when he resists.
Is the guardian notified when a juvenile is arrested?
Yes. When caught in the act, his guardian or whoever stands in his place is notified immediately by the means available, and he must be informed of the reasons for the arrest, the charge and the juvenile's right to a lawyer.
Is a juvenile entitled to appoint a lawyer?
Yes. The juvenile and his guardian are informed of his right to use an agent or lawyer in the evidence-gathering, investigation and trial stages.
Where is a juvenile placed after being arrested in the act?
The law enforcement officer places him in the Home as soon as he is arrested, taking care to prevent being alone with him or isolating him.
More articles on Arrest and Detention of a Juvenile
- Article 5
Article 5, in accordance with Article 6 of the Law, provides that notice to a juvenile of unknown identity placed in the Home is valid if it is given to the Home, with the Ministry of Interior being informed.
وفقاً للحكم الوارد في المادة (السادسة) من النظام، إذا كان الحدث المودع في الدار مجهول الهوية فيكون التبليغ صحيحاً إذا بُلغت الدار، وتشعر وزارة الداخلية بذلك.
- Article 6
Article 6 requires a request to extend a juvenile's detention to be submitted before the period expires; if it expires without an extension decision or the court refuses the request, the juvenile is immediately handed to his guardian.
يقدم طلب تمديد التوقيف مدة أو مدداً متعاقبة، الواردة في المادة (التاسعة) من النظام، قبل انقضائها، وإذا انقضت المدة ولم يصدر قرار بتمديدها أو رفضت المحكمة طلب تم
- Article 7
Article 7 requires the necessary guarantees to be taken from the recipient when a juvenile is handed to his guardian or the person standing in his place, to ensure the juvenile is looked after and not harmed.
عند تسليم الحدث إلى ولي أمره أو من يقوم مقامه؛ تؤخذ الضمانات اللازمة من المستلم بما يكفل الحفاظ على الحدث وعدم إيذائه.
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.