What should I do if I’m arrested in Dubai or Abu Dhabi?

The UAE is a Muslim country with strict laws around consumption of alcohol and social behaviour.

The arrest rate for these kinds of offences is relatively low, but following the news that Dubai has slashed taxes on alcohol to attract more western tourists, there are fears this could lead to an influx of arrests.

If you, or someone close to you is arrested for any offence in Dubai or Abu Dhabi, here’s what you need to know.

Be respectful and remain calm
Do not be antagonistic or argumentative with officers or say anything that might incriminate you

Get legal help ASAP
Inform officers that you would like a lawyer as soon as possible. They are not obliged to allow you to make a call to seek legal help. If they do not, they will contact a family member who can instruct a lawyer on your behalf

Don’t talk without a lawyer present
Once instructed, a lawyer can visit you where you are being held and you can sign over power of attorney so they can represent you. Until you do so, do not sign anything you don’t understand or answer any questions in a police interview,

Time is key
You can be held for an initial 48 hours and the police then have a further 24 hours to interview you. They can then seek an extension to hold you for a maximum of 14 days, at which point they must charge you or release you pending further investigation.

The sooner you contact a lawyer, the sooner they can help you navigate the legal system and secure the best outcome for you.
GHI can help with all legal issues. Email us at info@GHILegal.com or call +971 4275 6406