Right to Appeal Criminal Convictions
Written in plain language for general understanding. This is educational content, not legal advice. Based on Saudi royal decrees, regulations, and ministerial decisions.
Saudi National Law
What is this right?
If you are convicted of a crime, you have the right to appeal the decision:
- Appeal deadline: You must file your appeal within 30 days of receiving the written judgement.
- Court of Appeal: Criminal appeals go to the Court of Appeal (Appellate Court), which reviews both the facts and the law.
- Supreme Court: In cases involving death, amputation, or stoning, the case is automatically reviewed by the Supreme Court regardless of whether an appeal is filed.
- Royal pardon: In some cases, the convicted person or their family may petition for a royal pardon.
- Stay of execution: Filing an appeal generally suspends the sentence until the appeal is decided.
The appeal process is a critical safeguard — most serious sentences require multiple levels of judicial review.
When does it apply?
- You have been convicted of a crime by a criminal court.
- You believe the court made an error of law or fact in reaching its decision.
- The sentence is disproportionate to the offence.
What should you do?
- Act quickly — file your appeal within the 30-day deadline from receiving the written judgement.
- Hire an experienced criminal lawyer to draft your appeal — procedural errors in the appeal can result in dismissal.
- Gather any new evidence or identify legal errors in the original trial.
- For serious sentences, confirm that the case is being automatically reviewed by the Supreme Court.
What should you NOT do?
- Do not miss the 30-day deadline — late appeals are generally rejected.
- Do not try to represent yourself in serious criminal appeals — the legal procedures are complex.
- Do not assume the sentence is final after the first court — Saudi law provides for multiple levels of appeal and review.
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