Which court hears my case?
Under Article 140 of the Federal Decree-Law No. 38 of 2022 (Criminal Procedures Law), the Court of First Instance, sitting with three judges as the Major Criminal Court, hears felonies punishable by Qisas, death or life imprisonment, referred by the Public Prosecution. A single-judge court, the Minor Criminal Court, hears other offences punishable by a determinate prison sentence.
A single-judge Misdemeanour Court hears all misdemeanours and petty offences. Each Court of First Instance has tribunals for major criminal offences of three judges and for minor ones of a single judge (Article 193).
How is jurisdiction decided?
By the place where the crime was committed, unless the law says otherwise (Article 143).
Where a crime is committed abroad but governed by the national law, the perpetrator is prosecuted before the federal criminal courts in the capital of the Federation (Article 145).
Who must attend?
A defendant charged with a felony or a misdemeanour punishable by a penalty other than a fine must appear in person (Article 161).
A member of the Public Prosecution attends the hearings of the criminal court and is heard by it (Article 163).
How does the case end at this level?
With a judgment of acquittal if the incident is not proven or has no penalty, or a judgment of conviction and sentence if proven and punishable (Articles 212 and 213).
Either side can then appeal to the Court of Appeal. Appeal does not stay execution unless the Court of Appeal decides so (Article 230).
What should I do first?
Check which court and which tribunal
Major or minor criminal court, or misdemeanour court.
Check the hearing date and notice
Appear when called.
Prepare witnesses and documents
Defence evidence follows the prosecution's.
Plan the appeal in advance
The deadline starts at judgment.
Call us on +971 50 653 1334 or message us on WhatsApp. We answer at any hour.
Frequently asked questions
How many judges hear a felony case?
Three judges sit in the Major Criminal Court for the most serious felonies (Article 140).
Who hears misdemeanours?
A single-judge Misdemeanour Court (Article 140).
Does the Public Prosecution attend?
Yes, a member attends the hearing and is heard (Article 163).
Where is jurisdiction decided?
By the place where the crime was committed unless the law provides otherwise (Article 143).
Related guides
Criminal Courts overview
The main points, the process and your first steps.
Read the overviewCriminal Trial
How a criminal trial runs in the UAE, who must attend, how witnesses are heard and how a judgment is reached.
Read the guideCourt of Appeal
What the Court of Appeal can do with a judgment, the limits on increasing a penalty and the effect of surrender before the hearing.
Read the guideSources
Source: Federal Decree-Law No. 38 of 2022 (Criminal Procedures Law), official English text on the UAE Legislation portal, checked 9 October 2026. The portal lists the law as active and last updated on 28 September 2023. The Arabic text prevails over translations.
This page is general information, not legal advice.