Criminal cases in Saudi Arabia involve an act criminalised by Sharia or statute, prosecuted by the Public Prosecution and heard by the Criminal Court. There are three kinds: hudud (fixed penalties), qisas and diya (offences against life and body), and ta'zir (penalties set by the judge or by specific laws such as narcotics, cybercrime and fraud).
Reviewed by: Raghad Mamdouh Al-KhamshiLegal Affairs Manager at USUS Law FirmLast updated:
Facing a criminal case, or is a relative detained?
Tell us what you know: the charge, the date of arrest and who summoned you. A lawyer from our team will reply.
WhatsApp a lawyerCall RiyadhCall Tabuk
What you send us is confidential and used only to study your case.
Service page: Criminal lawyer in Riyadh
Stages
- Report or arrest (Criminal Procedure Law, Art. 27).
- Investigation by the Public Prosecution, with detention or release.
- Case closed or indictment filed with the Criminal Court.
- Trial.
- Judgment and appeal.
Public and private rights
The public right belongs to society and is pursued by the Prosecution; the private right belongs to the victim (Art. 16). A pardon ends the private right only (Art. 23).
Frequently asked questions
What are criminal cases in Saudi Arabia?
Cases involving a crime under Sharia or statute, prosecuted by the Public Prosecution before the Criminal Court: hudud, qisas and diya, and ta'zir.
See detention periods and our criminal lawyer in Riyadh.
Legal review: the Usus Law Firm team
A select team of lawyers and legal advisers licensed by the Saudi Ministry of Justice, working from Riyadh and Tabuk, with experience before the general, commercial, labor, criminal, personal status and administrative courts. Every article is reviewed before publication and updated when laws or regulations change.
Last reviewed: 29 October 2026
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.