Q: I had a misdemeanor case in Dubai last January 28, 2023, then I was released on January 30 after a judge hearing. Now the judge asks me to submit a translated Arabic appeal letter for my explanation and seek help from the police officers. Unfortunately, no one can help me and assist me. They just released me the same day right away after the hearing without submitting my appeal. Then, they told me to wait for a call from Dubai Courts. Unfortunately, after waiting, no one called me so I followed up after a couple of days, but still no one replied to me. I even mailed the Dubai Police and they just said it was forwarded already to the HQ. I have to wait for a call. 2 weeks ago I received a call from them from Barsha telling me that I have to go to Dubai Courts. Then when I checked online, I found out that there is already a final judgment of 1 month of jail and deportation. Ma'am/Sir, I need to defend myself and submit an appeal because I have valid reasons why things happened at that time.

Q: Dear Sir/Madam, What is the time limit for appealing a criminal case? Prison officials informed the convicted individual that the deadline is either 20 or 30 days. What is the actual time limit for appealing, and what are the consequences of failing to appeal within the specified timeframe?

س: هناك أربع قضايا مرفوعة ضدي. صدر الحكم في ثلاثة قضايا وهناك قضية لا تزال قائمة. كيف يمكنني استئناف الحكم في هذه القضايا؟ بالنسبة للقضايا التي صدر حكمًا فيها، هل يجوز الاستئناف؟

Q: Dear Experts, General question: For example, if the court of first instance issues a judgment with a specific punishment, like 3 months in jail, and the accused appeals the decision, can the court of appeals increase the punishment?

Q: Dear Lawyers, I had an appeal court hearing today, but I wasn’t called when it was my turn, along with a few others. They said those who weren’t called would receive a text message today with another date. What does this mean?

Q: Dear Lawyers, Once the judgment is issued in the Court of First Instance in the Misdemeanor Court, does the Public Prosecution appeal on its own, or does the opposing party (victim) request them to appeal on their behalf? Additionally, in cases where there is no victim, can the Public Prosecution still appeal the judgment if it is in our favor?

Q: Article 89 of Federal Decree No. 31 of 2021 promulgating the Crimes and Penalties Law stipulates that “If several crimes are committed for one purpose and are inseparably linked to each other, they must all be considered one crime and the penalty prescribed for the most severe of those crimes must be imposed.” Since the four accused were committed for one criminal purpose, and the link between the first, second, and third charges was inseparable, as they were organized by one criminal plan with the accused committing several acts that together formed a single criminal unit intended by the legislator, the court, therefore, considers it one crime and punishes it with the penalty for the most severe crime. That is in accordance with the provisions of Article 89 of the Crimes and Penalties Law, as will follow in the operative part of the ruling. Whereas Article 2/126 of Federal Decree-Law No. 31 of 2021 promulgating the Crimes and Penalties Law How to defend yourself if innocent?

The law promulgates UAE Criminal Procedural Law (Penal Procedures Law) which governs criminal procedures in the UAE. This law applies to the procedures relating to offences whose punishments are not specified, dogma and punitive offences, and blood money, if they do not violate the Sharia rules.

The provisions of this Federal Decree-Law No. (31) of 2021 Promulgating the Crimes and Penalties Law, known as the "New UAE Penal Code", governs criminal actions in the United Arab Emirates. The New Penal Code repeals the previous UAE Penal Code (Federal Law No. (3) of 1987 Promulgating the Penal Code).