Who can summon me, and when?
Under Article 45 of the Federal Decree-Law No. 38 of 2022 Promulgating the Criminal Procedures Law, where a crime is caught in flagrante delicto, the judicial police officer may prevent the people present from leaving the crime scene and may immediately summon anybody from whom clarification about the incident could be obtained.
In practice, a call, message or notice asking you to attend a police station should be taken seriously. A lawyer can confirm what it concerns and whether you are being asked as a witness or as someone under suspicion.
What happens if I refuse to appear?
Under Article 45(2), a refusal to appear before the judicial police officer is recorded in the report and communicated to the Public Prosecution for necessary action.
Article 45(3) adds that the competent court, after hearing your defence, may fine a person who refuses to appear an amount not exceeding AED 5,000. Ignoring a summons can also lead to more serious steps, so respond through a lawyer.
What is a notice to appear from the prosecution?
Article 99 allows the Prosecutor, according to the circumstances, to issue a notice to appear or an arrest warrant, or to order that you be banned from travel.
Each must state your name, profession, nationality and place of residence, the charge against you, the date of the writ, the place and time of appearance, and the Prosecutor's name, signature and official seal. An arrest warrant also instructs public authority officers to arrest you and bring you before the Prosecutor if you refuse to appear willingly and immediately.
Can the police issue an arrest warrant?
Yes in one situation. Under Article 47, where the accused is not present at the crime scene, the judicial police officer may issue an arrest warrant against them, recorded in the report, and a public authority officer enforces it.
That is why avoiding a summons is risky. When you do attend, Article 48 requires the officer to tell you the charge and your right to remain silent before your statements are heard.
What should I do first?
Find out what the summons is for
Note the station, date, time and reference.
Speak to a lawyer before you attend
Statements are recorded and used later.
Ask for an interpreter if you need one
Do not answer or sign anything you do not fully understand.
Take your documents
ID, residence and anything relevant to the matter.
Call us on +971 50 653 1334 or message us on WhatsApp. We answer at any hour.
Frequently asked questions
Can I refuse to go to the police station?
Refusing to appear before a judicial police officer is recorded and passed to the Public Prosecution, and the court can fine you up to AED 5,000 (Article 45). It can also lead to further steps.
What is the difference between a police summons and a prosecution notice?
A police summons is issued by the judicial police officer (Article 45). A notice to appear is issued by the Prosecutor under Article 99 and must contain the details listed there.
Can I be arrested when I attend?
It is possible, depending on the case. Prepare as if it may happen and arrange for a lawyer to be reachable.
Will I be told my rights?
Yes. Before your statements are heard the officer must tell you the charge and your right to remain silent (Article 48).
Related guides
Police Complaints overview
The main points, the process and your first steps.
Read the overviewRights After Arrest
What the law says must happen after an arrest: being told the charge, the right to remain silent, access to a lawyer, an interpreter and the time limits for seeing the prosecution.
Read the guidePre-Trial Detention
How long the Public Prosecution and the court can hold someone before trial, how extensions work and how to challenge them.
Read the guideSources
Source: official English text of the Criminal Procedures Law on the UAE Legislation portal, checked 9 October 2026. The portal lists the law as active, in force from 1 March 2023 and last updated on 28 September 2023. The Arabic text prevails over translations.
This page is general information, not legal advice.