If your child or a minor relative is accused, the case does not run like an adult's. The Juveniles Law sets special procedures for arrest, investigation and trial, makes reform the aim rather than punishment, and places the juvenile in a social observation home instead of a general prison.
Who is a juvenile?
Under the law, a juvenile is a person who has reached seven and not yet eighteen at the time of the act; what counts is age on the day of the act, not of the trial. Check the current official text and regulations.
How a juvenile case differs
| Stage | What is different |
|---|---|
| Arrest and detention | Treatment suited to age, the guardian is informed, and the juvenile is held in a social observation home, not with adults |
| Investigation | Age-appropriate procedures, presence of the guardian or a representative, and the right to a lawyer |
| Trial | Before circuits specialised in juvenile cases, away from publicity |
| Judgment | Corrective measures as the rule; where certain crimes are proven, a reduced penalty according to age and the law |
What the family should do
- Find out where the juvenile is held and who is investigating, and ask to attend or send a lawyer.
- Gather proof of age if age is in doubt.
- Do not advise him to confess or deny before a lawyer has reviewed the charge and evidence.
- Present what supports his reform: school record, conduct, and the family's readiness to care for him.
Many juvenile cases involve drug use; read drug penalties and the Narcotics Law.
Frequently asked questions
Can the juvenile be released to his guardian?
In many cases yes, on the guardian's undertaking, depending on the case and the competent authority's assessment.
Is your child detained?
Usus Law Firm handles juvenile criminal and drug cases in full confidence, from investigation to judgment, in Riyadh and Tabuk, and advises in English.
This article is general legal information and is not a substitute for advice on your specific case. Court proceedings in Saudi Arabia are in Arabic; the official Arabic text of each law prevails.
Request a quick consultation
Leave your name and mobile number, and a lawyer from our Riyadh or Tabuk office will call you during working hours. We advise in English.
