Is a police report and defendant's statement without a translator admissible?

Greetings,

In Dubai courts, including appeal and misdemeanour courts, any police report or defendant’s statement taken without the presence of a certified translator, when the defendant does not understand Arabic, may be challenged for lack of due process and could be considered inadmissible.

However, admissibility often depends on the specific facts and how the objection is raised before the court.

We recommend booking a consultation with us to review your case details and determine the best legal course of action, or to authorize our team to represent you effectively.

Dear questioner,

Police seizure reports are typically considered official records of the actions taken by law enforcement.

They are usually admissible as evidence to document what was seized, where, and when. While the report itself is likely admissible, the content of the report can be challenged.

The law emphasizes the right of the accused to be informed of the charges against them and the reasons for their arrest in a language they understand.

While it doesn't explicitly mandate translation during the initial police questioning, the spirit of the law leans towards ensuring comprehension.

If you need further clarification, kindly share your WhatsApp number.

A police seizure report, if officially documented in Arabic, is generally admissible as evidence. If the original report was not in Arabic, an officially certified Arabic translation would typically be required for it to be considered by the court.

The court has the discretion to request a translation if it deems necessary.

Hello dear,

I hope you are doing well!

Thank you for reaching out.

Regarding your question about the admissibility of a police seizure report and a defendant’s statement taken without a translator in Dubai’s appeal or misdemeanor court, under UAE law, any statement taken from a defendant who does not understand Arabic must be made in the presence of a certified translator.

If a statement was taken without ensuring the defendant fully understood the language, its validity may be challenged.

Courts generally require that the defendant's rights are fully protected during investigation, and failure to provide a translator can affect the weight or admissibility of such statements. You may raise this as a ground in appeal.

We can definitely assist you with reviewing your case and advising you on the best legal strategy.

For more assistance, please contact me on WhatsApp at [-----------].