What are the main types of evidence?
Physical items seized, statements of the accused and witnesses, expert reports, and documents or electronic evidence.
The Federal Decree-Law No. 38 of 2022 (Criminal Procedures Law) regulates each. Judicial police officers may seize items involved in or resulting from the crime (Article 61). The Prosecutor interviews witnesses whose statements are requested by the parties, unless they decide the statement is of no significance (Article 86).
Can the police search my home?
Only on a written search warrant from the Public Prosecution, unless the crime is caught in flagrante delicto and there is cogent evidence that the accused is hiding items or papers that could reveal the truth (Article 54).
Seized items must be described and shown to the accused so they can comment, and a report is signed or the refusal to sign noted. Items are placed in a firmly closed package (Article 61).
What evidence can a judge rely on?
Article 210 says the judge decides on their own satisfaction, but may not base a judgment on evidence that was not produced to the litigants at the hearings.
That protects the defence. If something was not put before you at the hearing, it cannot be the basis of conviction. We check what was and was not produced.
How is evidence challenged?
By examining how it was obtained, whether the procedure was followed, whether it is reliable and what it actually proves.
A search without a proper warrant, a seizure without a record, a statement taken without an interpreter and an expert report with a weak method are the usual points. Procedural defects can lead to invalidity, which the law treats in its own part.
What should I do first?
Keep your own copies of documents and messages
Do not delete anything.
Note how items were taken from you
Time, place, who was present.
Do not sign a seizure report without reading it
Comment if you disagree.
Ask your lawyer to review the file
Under Article 98 where possible.
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Frequently asked questions
Can the police search without a warrant?
A home search needs a written warrant from the Public Prosecution, subject to the flagrante delicto exception in Article 54.
What must be done with seized items?
They must be described and shown to the accused, recorded in a report and packaged securely (Article 61).
Can a judge convict on evidence the defence never saw?
No. Article 210 forbids a judgment based on evidence not produced to the litigants at the hearings.
Who decides how reliable evidence is?
The judge, on their own satisfaction (Article 210).
Related guides
Criminal Case Process overview
The main points, the process and your first steps.
Read the overviewCriminal Investigation
Who investigates a crime in the UAE, what the judicial police and the Public Prosecution can do, and why investigation papers are confidential.
Read the guideCriminal Trial
How a criminal trial runs in the UAE, who must attend, how witnesses are heard and how a judgment is reached.
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.