Legal guide, Dubai
What to do if you are arrested in Dubai
Being detained in a foreign country is frightening, especially when you do not know the legal system. This guide walks expats, residents and visiting businessmen through the practical steps that protect you under UAE law, from the moment officers approach you to the day your case reaches the Public Prosecution.
The 6 things that matter most in the first 48 hours
- Stay calm and physically cooperative. Resisting or arguing with a police officer can trigger an additional charge under the UAE Penal Code (Federal Decree-Law No. 31 of 2021).
- Do not sign anything you do not fully understand. You have the right to a certified Arabic interpreter under the UAE Criminal Procedure Law.
- Ask for the reason of arrest. Police must inform you of the charge and your rights, in line with Article 47 of the Criminal Procedure Law.
- Contact your embassy or consulate. The Vienna Convention on Consular Relations gives you the right to consular notification.
- Call a licensed UAE defence lawyer before giving any statement. What you say in the police station is recorded and used at the Public Prosecution.
- Do not contact the alleged victim or witnesses. Any attempt to settle privately can be treated as obstruction or even a separate offence.
Step 1
Understand what is actually happening
In Dubai, an arrest usually starts with a complaint filed at a police station, often at Bur Dubai, Al Barsha or Naif. Officers will take you to the station, register the case, and either release you on bail or transfer you to the Public Prosecution within 48 hours, as required by Article 47 of Federal Decree-Law No. 38 of 2022 on the Criminal Procedure Law.
Common charges that catch expats off guard include bounced cheques, defamation on WhatsApp or social media, alcohol-related public order offences, and commercial disputes that escalate from civil to criminal complaints. The same facts can look very different once they are translated into the language of the UAE Penal Code, so do not assume the case is minor just because it feels minor.
Step 2: Use your right to silence and translation
UAE law gives every detainee the right to remain silent and the right to an interpreter if they do not speak Arabic. The first statement at the police station is critical, because it forms part of the file that the prosecutor reads. Anything ambiguous, mistranslated or signed in haste is hard to walk back later.
If a document is placed in front of you only in Arabic, politely refuse to sign until it is translated and until your lawyer is present. Officers may push back, but this is a recognised right and exercising it is not an admission of guilt. Ask for the officer’s name and rank, and remember the time you were brought in, you will need this timeline later.
Step 3: Get a qualified criminal defence lawyer involved fast
Only lawyers registered with the Dubai Legal Affairs Department and the UAE Ministry of Justice can represent you before Dubai courts. A general business lawyer or an overseas attorney cannot appear at the Public Prosecution on your behalf. Speed matters: a good local defence team can attend the prosecution interview with you, request bail, lodge a travel-ban review, and start negotiating with the complainant where the law allows settlement (for example, in many cheque and defamation cases).
Established Dubai firms such as criminal lawyer in Dubai services by Marwa Suliman Advocates & Legal Consultants handle exactly these situations, from the first police interview through to Court of Cassation appeals. Choose a firm with Arabic-speaking advocates who hold rights of audience before the Dubai Courts, and ask specifically about their experience with your type of charge.
Step 4: Know the path your case will take
After the police stage, your file moves to the Public Prosecution. The prosecutor decides whether to detain you further, release you on bail (often with a passport hold), or refer the matter to the Misdemeanour or Criminal Court. Detention orders are reviewed periodically, and your lawyer can challenge them. According to information published by the Dubai Public Prosecution, suspects must be questioned within 24 hours of being handed over by police.
Trials in Dubai are documentary-heavy. Most arguments are made in writing, in Arabic, supported by evidence and case law. This is why an experienced advocate is not a luxury, the quality of the written defence memo often decides the outcome before the first hearing. For an overview of the wider framework, the UAE government portal publishes plain-language summaries of the relevant laws.
Step 5: Protect your travel, work and reputation
An open criminal case in Dubai usually triggers a travel ban while proceedings are ongoing. If you are a business owner, this can affect bank signatories, trade licence renewals and visa status. Notify your HR or PRO early, and let your lawyer coordinate with them so that you do not accidentally breach immigration or labour rules while the case is pending.
Stay off social media about the case. Posts, voice notes or even private group messages have been used as evidence under Federal Decree-Law No. 34 of 2021 on Combatting Rumours and Cybercrimes. Keep communication about the matter to your lawyer only.
Do not give a statement, do not sign, do not post online, and do not try to settle directly with the other party until a UAE-licensed criminal lawyer is in the room.
Frequently asked questions
Do I have the right to a phone call after arrest in Dubai?
Yes. Under the UAE Criminal Procedure Law you have the right to inform a family member, your employer or your lawyer of your detention. In practice, ask politely and clearly for permission to make this call as soon as you arrive at the police station.
If you are a foreign national, you can also request that your embassy or consulate be notified, which is a right protected by the Vienna Convention on Consular Relations.
Can I be released on bail in Dubai?
In many cases, yes. The Public Prosecution or the police can grant bail, often in exchange for a cash deposit, a UAE resident guarantor, or surrender of your passport. Bail is more common for misdemeanours and bounced-cheque cases, and less common for serious offences such as drug trafficking or violent crimes.
A defence lawyer can formally request bail and argue for conditions that let you keep working while the case proceeds.
What happens if the complainant withdraws the complaint?
For certain offences, including many defamation, assault and cheque cases, a withdrawal by the complainant can end the prosecution or significantly reduce penalties. For public-order or state-related offences, however, the case continues regardless of the complainant’s wishes.
Your lawyer can advise whether your specific charge falls into the category where settlement is legally effective.
Should I hire a lawyer from my home country or a UAE lawyer?
You need a UAE-licensed advocate registered with the Ministry of Justice to appear before Dubai Police, the Public Prosecution and the courts. A foreign lawyer can help you understand the bigger picture but cannot represent you locally.
The best setup is often a local Dubai criminal firm working directly with you, with your home-country counsel kept informed in parallel if needed.
How long can the police hold me before I see a prosecutor?
Under the UAE Criminal Procedure Law, the police must hand you over to the Public Prosecution within 48 hours of arrest. The prosecutor then has to question you within 24 hours of receiving the file and decide whether to detain, release or charge you.
These periods can be extended by judicial order in serious cases, but only through a formal decision that your lawyer can challenge.
Will an arrest in Dubai affect my visa and job?
It can. A pending criminal case often leads to a travel ban and may affect visa renewals, especially if a conviction is recorded. Some employers also have internal policies about staff facing criminal proceedings.
Tell your lawyer about your visa status, sponsor and role at the company so that the defence strategy takes your residency and employment into account.
Can I be arrested in Dubai for something that is legal in my home country?
Yes. UAE law applies to everyone inside the country, regardless of nationality. Acts that are legal elsewhere, such as certain alcohol behaviours in public, online insults, or some forms of relationship status, can still lead to criminal charges in Dubai.
If you are unsure whether something is permitted, ask a local lawyer before you act, not after a complaint is filed.
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