Article 8 of the Saudi Juveniles Law Implementing Regulations
المادة 8 من اللائحة التنفيذية لنظام الأحداث
Article 8 requires investigation of a juvenile to take place inside the Home in a place that makes him feel reassured, and allows the Public Prosecution to investigate outside it in his interest without psychological, social, behavioral or educational effect on him.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
1- يجري التحقيق مع الحدث داخل الدار وفي مكان يشعر من خلاله بالطمأنينة والراحة النفسية.
2- إذا اقتضت مصلحة الحدث قيام النيابة العامة بالتحقيق معه في مكان خارج الدار؛ فينبغي أن توفر للحدث الطمأنينة والراحة النفسية وألا يترتب على التحقيق معه في هذه الأماكن أي تأثير عليه من الناحية النفسية أو الاجتماعية أو السلوكية أو التعليمية.
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 8 explained in plain English
This article regulates the place of investigation of the juvenile:
The rule: the juvenile is investigated inside the Home, in a place where he feels reassured and psychologically comfortable.
The exception: if the juvenile's interest requires the Public Prosecution to investigate him outside the Home, it may do so, but it must:
- provide the juvenile with reassurance and psychological comfort.
- ensure that investigating him in these places has no effect on him from the psychological, social, behavioral or educational side.
The criterion for the exception is the interest of the juvenile himself, not merely the convenience of the investigating authority. The safeguards required in the rule and the exception are the same: a reassuring environment that does not harm the juvenile.
This article is consistent with Article 3, which allocates places in the Home for hearing the testimony of a juvenile complainant away from the detention areas, and with Article 4, which requires the juvenile to be told of his right to a lawyer at the investigation stage.
A guardian whose son is being investigated and who wants to know his safeguards can consult a lawyer who specializes 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.
How we write and review contentCriminal Law lawyers: ask a specialist about your case
Describe your situation briefly and we'll suggest a lawyer who specialises in this law
Criminal Law lawyers
Lawyers who handle this kind of case
Ibrahim Al Salem Law Firm
Active contributor
Dr. Ali Al-Rubaie Law Office and Ittihad Al-Asr Legal Company
Frequently asked questions about Article 8 of the Saudi Juveniles Law Implementing Regulations
Where is a juvenile investigated?
The rule is that he is investigated inside the Home in a place where he feels reassured and psychologically comfortable.
May a juvenile be investigated outside the Home?
Yes, if his interest requires it, provided that reassurance is provided and it has no psychological, social, behavioral or educational effect on him.
More articles on Juvenile's Complaint and Questioning
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.