On this page
When do you need a police detention lawyer?
When a person is being held at the police station and has not yet been brought before the prosecution.
The police stage is short, but what happens in it can decide the rest of the case.
What do we do while someone is held?
We attend, check the grounds, advise on questioning and review the statement before it is signed.
We also press for release where the grounds do not justify detention.
What comes next?
The person is either released or presented to the prosecution.
We prepare the next stage in advance so that no time is lost.
What should I do first?
Confirm the station
We need the exact location.
Do not sign before reading
Ask for the statement to be read in a language you understand.
Ask for a lawyer to be present
State it clearly at the start.
Keep calm and say little
Answer what is asked and no more until advised.
Call us on +971 50 653 1334 or message us on WhatsApp. We answer at any hour.
Frequently asked questions
Can police hold someone without charge?
Detention is allowed only within the periods and grounds the law sets. We check them for each case.
Can a family member sign for the person?
No statement or paper should be signed without advice.
Related guides
Arrest, Detention & Bail overview
The main points, the process and your first steps.
Read the overviewArrest
When a judicial police officer can arrest, how ordinary citizens can hand someone over, and what must happen next.
Read the guideRights 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 guidePolice Investigation
The powers and limits of the judicial police during an investigation, and what you should expect at each step.
Read the guideSources
This page describes how we act in this type of case. It does not restate the law: the linked guides set out the statutory position and cite the official English text on the UAE Legislation portal, uaelegislation.gov.ae. The Arabic text prevails over translations.
This page is general information, not legal advice.
