Q: Dear Sir/Madam, I am involved in a drug case for possession and use of illegal substances. I was bailed out on February 17 and had a court hearing on April 17, which I did not attend. The judgment was made in absentia, with a penalty of a 5000 dirham fine. I paid the fine before the Eid holidays, and the "wanted" status was cleared. However, the public prosecution has appealed the judgment, arguing that the penalty was too lenient. I have another hearing on May 17. Should I file an appeal now or after the hearing on the 17th?

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 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?

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).

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.