Anyone under the age of 18 is considered a minor in the United Arab Emirates. The Federal Law No. 9 of 1976, Concerning Delinquent Juveniles, regulates how juvenile offenders are to be handled.
No criminal charges can be filed against a child younger than 7 years old. Even while criminal charges are an option, most people who make complaints are directed to community resources instead.
Crimes committed by children under the age of 16 do not warrant incarceration. Instead of traditional prison sentences, offenders may be sentenced to community service or rehabilitation. The goal is to help these people through rehabilitation, support, and assistance so that they can get back on the right track. As part of the sentence, the judge can also mandate treatment, such as psychotherapy or medical care.
For offenders between the ages of 16 and 18, the maximum penalty cannot exceed one-half of the standard adult penalty. No juvenile under the age of 18 can be sentenced to the death penalty, however sentences of 10 years or more are possible.
The public is not allowed to attend juvenile court proceedings, although the juvenile offender is allowed to be represented by a parent, legal guardian, witness, attorney, or Ministry of Social Services official. Juveniles are not required to personally appear in court for these proceedings and instead have a proxy act on their behalf.
A juvenile has the right to appeal a judgment and ask for a penalty that is more appropriate under the juvenile law if they were wrongly punished under an adult statute.
For accurate and up-to-date information on the unique conditions concerning juveniles and the criminal justice system in the UAE, it is essential to speak with our legal experts.
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