Criminal lawyer in Saudi Arabia for defense in penal cases
When the case begins with a summons, an investigation, or a referral to the court, arranging the steps from the start is important to understand the legal position and handle each stage in an organized manner. A criminal lawyer helps review the charge, the evidence, and the procedures, and determine what needs a defense, a request, or an objection, without giving advance promises about the outcome of the case.
The team of Al-Safwa Law Firm & Legal Consultations, from its office in Jeddah, works on studying criminal and penal cases within the Kingdom according to the type and stage of the case and the scope of the agreement with the client.
- Reviewing the stage of the case and the available documents
- Clarifying the next legal procedure
- Preparing the memoranda and defenses according to the file
- Following up the investigation, trial, and objection according to the scope of engagement
Why do you need a criminal cases lawyer from the start of the file?
Determining the position of the case procedurally
Handling the case begins by determining whether it is still at the evidence-gathering or investigation stage, has been referred to the court, or a judgment has been issued in it that needs review. The procedure and the required document differ according to each stage, so the legal plan does not begin before knowing the position of the file precisely.
Studying what exists in the file
A criminal cases lawyer reviews, according to what is available: the seizure and investigation records, the statement of claim, the technical or medical reports, the digital evidence and correspondence, the documents related to the incident, and the judgment and its reasons if it has been issued. The aim is to learn what is established in the file and what needs a defense, a reply, or a request.
Determining the scope of the defense or the claim
The client may need a consultation only, attendance during the investigation, preparing a defense memorandum, representation before the court, or an objection to a judgment. The team determines the scope of work after reviewing the case, rather than using a single path for all files.
How does a penal cases lawyer begin working on your case?
Knowing the current stage
The team first determines whether the case is at:
- The investigation.
- The court.
- The judgment stage.
- The appeal or objection.
Because each stage has different procedures, deadlines, and documents.
Examining the facts and documents
The records, evidence, statement of claim, prior memoranda, and the judgment if any are reviewed.
If you want to understand the elements on which criminal liability is based more broadly, you can view the elements of a criminal offense under Saudi law.
Determining the required legal work
The scope of work may include:
- Providing advice before the investigation.
- Preparing a defense or reply memorandum.
- Submitting requests during the course of the case.
- Representation before the court.
- Objecting to the judgment.
- Studying the possibility of cassation when its statutory grounds are met.
Following up the procedures and deadlines
After agreeing on the scope of work, the team follows up the relevant hearings, memoranda, requests, and deadlines, and clarifies to the client what has been done and what the next step is.
Criminal lawyer services by type of case
Narcotics cases lawyer
Narcotics cases need a precise review of the seizure and investigation records, the evidence, and the description of the incident, whether they relate to possession, use, promotion, or other forms to which the law applies.
The review includes:
- The seizure and investigation procedures.
- The evidence related to the incident.
- The required defenses and memoranda.
- The judgment and the means of objection if it has been issued.
Fraud and swindling lawyer
Fraud cases require reviewing the course of the funds, the correspondence, the agreements, and the documents that show how the act in question occurred.
The file may include a defense of an accused or a follow-up of the rights of a victim according to the nature of the incident. See the crime of fraud under Saudi law.
Forgery cases lawyer
Handling a forgery file begins by determining the type of instrument or document in question, how it was used, the evidence related to it, and the stage the case has reached.
Extortion cases lawyer
Extortion cases require preserving the evidence and organizing the messages, accounts, links, and dates before taking the appropriate action before the competent authority.
Defamation cases lawyer
The nature of the published content, the means of publication, the available evidence, and the extent to which the incident relates to a private right or potential compensation are reviewed.
Cybercrimes lawyer
This includes files related to digital means such as some forms of extortion, electronic fraud, and misuse of data and accounts.
Preserving the digital evidence and not altering or deleting it before reviewing the case become increasingly important.
Insult and slander cases lawyer
The way the case is handled differs according to the words used, the means of publication or sending, the available evidence, and the competent authority.
Moral cases lawyer
Moral cases need handling that preserves privacy and reviews the facts, evidence, and procedures before determining the legal path.
The role of the criminal defense lawyer at the stages of the case
The summons and the investigation
The accused has the right to seek a lawyer to defend him at the investigation and trial stages.
At this stage, the legal assistance focuses on understanding the charge and the procedure, reviewing the available documents, and preparing for what may follow the investigation stage.
If you have an upcoming appointment at the police station, the team can review the possibility of arranging a lawyer’s attendance according to the appointment, the city, and the nature of the procedure.
The defense before the penal court
After the case is referred to the court, the criminal lawyer reviews the statement of claim, the evidence, and what was recorded in the investigation, then the memoranda, defenses, and requests are arranged to suit the facts of the file.
If your need is limited to preparing a memorandum, you can review the preparation of legal memoranda — defense and reply service.
Objecting to the judgment
When the judgment is issued, it must be reviewed early if there is an inclination to object.
The period for objecting by a request for appeal or review in penal cases is thirty days, with the need to review the date the judgment was received and the procedures recorded in the case file when calculating the period. You may refer to the Law of Criminal Procedure to verify the statutory provisions regulating the objection procedures.
For details, see the appeal lawyer page or the objection memorandum page.
You can also request an objection memorandum in a penal case.
Reviewing the possibility of cassation
The file may reach a stage that statutorily allows an objection before the Supreme Court.
Mere dissatisfaction with the judgment alone does not mean there is a valid ground for cassation; the review therefore begins by studying the judgment, its reasons, and the prior procedures and determining whether there are statutory grounds that can be relied upon.
At this stage, you can begin by reviewing the judgment and determining the appropriate route of objection.
When do you need to engage a criminal cases lawyer in Saudi Arabia?
You may need to engage a criminal cases lawyer in Saudi Arabia before reaching the court or after it, according to the status of the file.
Case 1: You have a summons or an investigation appointment
Prepare: a copy of the summons, the report number if any, a summary of the incident, the city, and the time of attendance.
Case 2: The case has reached the court
Prepare: the case number, the statement of claim, the available investigation records, the prior memoranda, and the most important documents related to the incident.
Case 3: A judgment has been issued
Prepare: a copy of the judgment, the date it was received, the case number, and any prior memoranda or objections. And do not delay reviewing the judgment if you are considering objecting to it.
Case 4: You are the victim
You may need to review: the private right, the evidence that proves the harm, the possibility of requesting compensation, the effect of waiver or reconciliation, and the current stage of the case.
The private right and compensation in criminal cases
- The nature of the private right.
- The evidence that proves the harm.
- The possibility of claiming compensation.
- The effect of waiver or reconciliation.
- The stage the case has reached.
Waiver of the private right does not necessarily mean the end of all effects related to the public right; its effect differs according to the type of crime, the facts, and the applicable law.
And if the matter relates to the effects of a prior criminal judgment, see rehabilitation (restoration of standing) in Saudi Arabia.
Three mistakes to avoid in a criminal case
Giving statements or signing a record without reviewing it
Read what you are asked to sign and understand its content, because the statements recorded at the stages of the case become part of the file that will be reviewed later.
Delaying the review of the judgment
Being preoccupied with other procedures may lead to the objection period nearing its end before studying the judgment and its reasons.
It is best to review the judgment as soon as its copy is available and determine the start of the statutory period.
Choosing the lawyer based on advertising alone
Do not make the marketing phrases or promises of a result your only criterion.
Verify the professional status, the team’s experience suitable to the case, and the clarity of the scope of service, the method of follow-up, and the fees.
How do you choose the best criminal lawyer suitable for your case?
Verify the license
Deal with a lawyer or office with a clear professional status, and verify the professional information before the engagement.
Ask who will work on the file
Some cases may need review by more than one member of the team according to the nature of the evidence and the stage of the case. At Al-Safwa, the way of working is based on managing the file within a team and not on relying on the name of a single individual.
Determine the scope of service
Ask clearly: Is the agreement for the consultation only? Does it include attendance? Does it include the memoranda? Does it include representation before the court? Does it include the appeal?
Understand the fees and follow-up
Know before starting: the scope of work, the method of determining the fees, the mechanism of communication, the required documents, and what the agreement does not include.
What is the difference between a criminal lawyer (jina'i) and a penal lawyer (jaza'i)?
Searchers use the two phrases criminal lawyer and penal lawyer when looking for a lawyer who handles cases arising from acts criminalized under Sharia or the law, and the related investigation, trial, and objection.
The lawyer's fees in criminal cases
There are no single fees for all penal cases; because the volume of work differs from one file to another.
The fees are usually affected by:
- The type of case and the charge.
- The current stage.
- The volume of documents and evidence.
- The number of parties to the case.
- The expected number of hearings.
- The type of work required.
- The city and the attendance requirements.
- Whether the work includes one stage or more than one level of litigation.
The case may therefore begin with an initial legal consultation to understand the position and determine the scope of work before agreeing on a broader service.
Choose the service according to the stage of the criminal case
Criminal legal consultation
If you do not know the appropriate procedure, start by presenting the facts and the basic documents to the team.
Attendance of a lawyer
Send a copy of the summons, the time of attendance, the city, and a summary of the incident to review the possibility of arranging attendance.
Judicial representation
If the case has reached the court and the file needs follow-up and representation, the documents are reviewed first to determine the scope of engagement.
Reviewing the judgment and the objection
Send a copy of the judgment and the date it was received so the appropriate route of objection can be determined before preparing the memorandum.
Criminal cases service in Jeddah and the rest of the Kingdom
Al-Safwa Law Firm & Legal Consultations is located in Jeddah, and the office’s local presence is concentrated in Jeddah and Makkah, with the ability to study and represent files in other regions within the Kingdom according to the type of case, the attendance requirements, and the scope of the agreement.
Criminal cases in Jeddah
If the case is in Jeddah and you are looking for a page more specialized locally, criminal cases lawyer in Jeddah.
Criminal cases in Riyadh
If the case is in Riyadh, go to the page dedicated to criminal lawyer Riyadh
Practical Notes for Expatriates Facing a Criminal Case
- Right to a lawyer: you may appoint a lawyer during the investigation and the trial. Ask for one before signing any statement.
- Language: proceedings are in Arabic. If you do not speak Arabic, ask for an interpreter and make sure your statement is read back to you before you sign.
- Deadlines: an appeal against a criminal judgment must be filed within 30 days, and a cassation request within 30 days of the appeal judgment.
- Online offences: under the Anti-Cyber Crime Law, online fraud can carry up to 3 years in prison and a fine of up to SAR 2 million, and online extortion up to 1 year and SAR 500,000.
- Family contact: your family can appoint a lawyer for you through an electronic power of attorney while you are detained, if you authorise it.
Frequently asked questions about a criminal lawyer in Saudi Arabia
Do I have the right to seek a lawyer during the investigation?
Yes. The Law of Criminal Procedure grants the accused the right to seek an agent or a lawyer to defend him at the investigation and trial stages.
How long is the period for objecting to a penal judgment?
The period for objecting by a request for appeal or review is thirty days. The date the judgment was received and the procedure recorded in the case file should be reviewed when calculating the start of the period and the last day for submitting the objection.
What is the role of a criminal cases lawyer?
The lawyer reviews the facts, documents, evidence, and procedures, and determines what the file needs in terms of a defense, a memorandum, a request, representation, or an objection according to the stage the case has reached.
What does a penal lawyer mean?
The description penal lawyer is used to denote the lawyer who works in criminal or penal cases. Searchers also use phrases such as criminal lawyer, penal cases lawyer, and felonies lawyer for close intents.
How do I choose the best criminal cases lawyer?
Start by verifying the license and professional status, then ask about the team’s experience in the type of case, who will work on the file, the scope of service, the mechanism of communication, and the method of determining the fees. And do not rely on a guarantee of the case outcome as a criterion for the choice.
When do I need a cassation lawyer?
The need to study cassation appears when the judgment reaches a stage that statutorily allows an objection before the Supreme Court and there are statutory grounds that can be relied upon. Mere dissatisfaction with the judgment alone is not enough to determine the validity of this path.
Can a criminal case be waived?
Reconciliation or waiver of the private right is possible in the cases the law allows, but its effect on the public right differs according to the type of crime and the facts of the file; the case must therefore be studied before anticipating the effect of the waiver.
Can the victim engage a criminal lawyer?
Yes, the victim may need a lawyer to pursue the private right, claim compensation, or organize the evidence and requests, provided the case is reviewed and the absence of a conflict of interest is verified.
I am looking for a criminal lawyer's number, what do I send in the first message?
Send:
- The type of case or the charge.
- The city.
- The current stage.
- The case or report number if any.
- Is there a person detained?
- Is there an upcoming investigation appointment or hearing?
You do not need to send all the documents in the first message; the basic document is enough for the team to clarify what it needs afterward.
Talk to the criminal cases team
If the case is at the investigation, trial, or objection stage, send a brief summary of the incident and specify the city and the current stage and attach the basic document available.
The Al-Safwa team reviews the initial information, then clarifies whether the appropriate step is a consultation, attendance, a memorandum, representation, or a review of a judgment.
Choosing a criminal lawyer begins by understanding the file and determining the appropriate procedure, not by obtaining advance promises about the outcome of the case.
What do our clients say about the criminal lawyer services?
Brief opinions from clients who dealt with Al-Safwa in criminal cases at different stages and procedures.