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Arrested In Dubai

Arrested In Dubai? Here Is What You Can Do

What happens if I get arrested in Dubai

The police may hold you for up to 48 hours and the Public Prosecution shall question you within 24 hours, then shall order remand in custody or release (Article 48). In some cases, you may also be ordered to provide samples (e.g., blood, breath, DNA, fingerprints) depending on the charge. There, you have the right to legal counsel, because evidence gathered during this stage is crucial to how the case progresses.

How can you get Bail in Dubai?

Getting Bail in Dubai is real, but it depends on the cases. According to the Article 109 Criminal Procedures Law the Accused may be released on a bail. Bail may be granted with conditions such as surrender of passport, monetary guarantee, travel ban, residence conditions or regular reporting to authority. 

Can you leave the UAE during the investigation?

As we mentioned above, upon release on bail, a court order prohibiting departure from the country is automatically enforced. The information is instantly displayed at all airports and border crossings in the UAE.

Arrested In Dubai

The main documents regulating legal relationships related arrests and judicial proceedings are Federal Law No. 31 of 2021 the “On Crimes and Penalties” (Criminal code) and Federal Law No. 38 of 2022 “On Criminal Procedures”.

Arrested In Dubai

According to article 46 of Federal Law No.38 Accused might be arrested, where there is cogent evidence that he or she has committed the crime in any of the instances that listed in this article. 

  • Felonies;
  • Misdemeanours caught in act where the penalty prescribed by law in respect thereof is not a fine;
  • Misdemeanours for which the penalty prescribed by law is not a fine and where the Accused is placed under any form of monitoring or where there are concerns that he or she might escape;
  • Misdemeanours of theft, fraud, breach of trust, severe transgression, resistance by force to public authority officers and violation of public morals, as well as misdemeanours relating to weapons, ammunition, intoxicants, hazardous substances, narcotics, psychotropic substances and the like.

Arrested In Dubai

Possible Penalties

According to the Federal Law No. 31 of 2021 the “On Crimes and Penalties” of UAE crimes are classified as felonies, misdemeanours and infractions (article 27). 

For felonies should be appointed such penalties as: any of the Qisas penalties; death penalty; life imprisonment; also, temporary imprisonment.

 For misdemeanours: imprisonment; a fine of more that 10,000 thousand AED; Diya. (The amount of Diya for manslaughter of a male or female shall be determined at 200,000 hundred thousand AED.).

For infractions: custody for not less than 24 hours and not more than 10 days; a fine not exceeding 10,000 AED.

In some immigration-related criminal cases, penalties can include imprisonment and deportation from the UAE upon conviction.

When Should You Hire a Criminal Lawyer?

You need to get help from a criminal lawyer right away if you are involved in a criminal case in any way, whether you are accused, the victim, or a witness. Even witnesses, whose role in the case might not seem like they need a lawyer, can become suspects or even accused during the investigation.

It is a big mistake to think that the assistance of a lawyer in criminal cases is only needed when the case is referred to court. As a result, you often have to spend significantly more money on a lawyer and your own nerves, worrying about what is happening. This is because if there was no specialist assistance during the pre-trial period, the case may be greatly complicated due to various mistakes made by the person involved due to ignorance. Therefore, a lawyer who joins the case only at the trial stage will need to spend much more time in it than if they had been involved from the very beginning.

Frequently Ask Questions

– How long do criminal cases take in Dubai?

There is no set time frame – simple cases may be resolved within weeks, while complex criminal cases may take months or longer. Stages of investigation, prosecution, hearings, sentencing and appeals all have an impact on the overall duration.

– Can charges be dropped?

Yes, criminal charges can be dropped in Dubai if the Public Prosecution finds that the evidence is insufficient, if the legal elements of the crime are not met under Federal Decree-Law No.31 of 2021, or in cases where the law allows for reconciliation the complainant withdraws the complaint. 

The role of a criminal lawyer is extremely important in reviewing evidence, identifying procedural violations, negotiating settlements, and filing a formal request to dismiss the case at the investigation stage. Early legal intervention greatly increases the chances of charges being dropped.

Need Legal Assistance in Dubai?
If you are involved in a criminal case or want to protect your rights during an investigation, don’t wait—contact an experienced criminal lawyer in Dubai today. Early legal guidance can make a significant difference in the outcome of your case.

📞 Call us now or schedule a consultation to ensure your rights are protected every step of the way.

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