Understanding Infractions and Penalties under Federal Law in the UAE
Not every breach of UAE law is treated the same way. Federal law sorts offences into felonies, misdemeanours and infractions, and the category affects the possible penalty and how a case proceeds. This guide explains what an infraction is under Federal Decree-Law No. 31 of 2021, how it differs from more serious charges, and when it is worth having a notice or summons reviewed by a lawyer.
How UAE law classifies offences
Under the UAE Crimes and Penalties Law (Federal Decree-Law No. 31 of 2021), crimes are of three types: felonies, misdemeanours and infractions (Article 27). The type is decided by the penalty the law prescribes for the offence. Where a fine or Diya is prescribed together with another penalty, the other penalty decides the type.
- Felony (Article 29): punishable by a Qisas penalty, the death penalty, life imprisonment or temporary imprisonment.
- Misdemeanour (Article 30): punishable by imprisonment, a fine of more than AED 10,000, or Diya.
- Infraction (Article 31): any act or omission punishable under the laws or regulations by custody of not less than 24 hours and not more than 10 days, a fine not exceeding AED 10,000, or both.
What an infraction means in practice
Infractions are the least serious category. Many are created by specific federal or local laws and regulations rather than by the Crimes and Penalties Law itself. Because the category follows the prescribed penalty, it is the article cited in a notice or summons that shows whether a matter is an infraction or a more serious charge.
Under Article 28, a crime does not change type simply because a court imposes a milder penalty for legal excuses or extenuating circumstances, unless the law provides otherwise.
When to seek legal advice
A straightforward infraction fine may not need a lawyer. It is sensible to have a notice reviewed if it is unclear which law applies, if you have been summoned to the police or the Public Prosecution, or if the same facts could support a misdemeanour or felony charge. Keep copies of any notices, receipts and correspondence.
Overview
| Arabic | فهم المخالفات والعقوبات بموجب القانون الاتحادي في دولة الإمارات |
| French | Comprendre les infractions et les sanctions en vertu de la loi fédérale aux EAU |
| Spanish | Entender las infracciones y sanciones bajo la ley federal en los EAU |
| Russian | Понимание правонарушений и наказаний по федеральному закону ОАЭ |
| Mandarin | 了解阿联酋联邦法律下的违法行为和处罚 |
| German | Verständnis von Verstößen und Strafen nach dem Bundesrecht der VAE |
| Italian | Comprendere le infrazioni e le sanzioni ai sensi della legge federale degli Emirati Arabi Uniti |
| Hindi | यूएई संघीय कानून के तहत उल्लंघन और दंड को समझना |
| Urdu | متحدہ عرب امارات کے وفاقی قانون کے تحت خلاف ورزیوں اور سزاؤں کو سمجھنا |
| Portuguese | Compreender as infrações e penalidades ao abrigo da lei federal nos EAU |
| Japanese | UAE連邦法における違反と罰則の理解 |
| Bengali | সংযুক্ত আরব আমিরাতের ফেডারেল আইনের অধীনে অপরাধ এবং শাস্তি বোঝা |
| Turkish | BAE Federal Yasası kapsamındaki ihlalleri ve cezaları anlamak |
| Korean | UAE 연방법에 따른 위반 및 처벌 이해 |
| Tagalog | Pag-unawa sa mga Paglabag at Parusa sa ilalim ng Pederal na Batas sa UAE |
| Farsi | درک تخلفات و مجازات ها تحت قانون فدرال در امارات متحده عربی |
| Greek | Κατανόηση των παραβάσεων και των ποινών βάσει του ομοσπονδιακού δικαίου στα ΗΑΕ |
| Dutch | Begrijpen van overtredingen en straffen onder de federale wetgeving in de VAE |
| Czech | Porozumění přestupkům a sankcím podle federálního zákona SAE |
| Swahili | Kuelewa makosa na adhabu chini ya sheria ya shirikisho nchini UAE |
| Thai | ทำความเข้าใจเกี่ยวกับการกระทำผิดและบทลงโทษภายใต้กฎหมายรัฐบาลกลางในสหรัฐอาหรับเอมิเรตส์ |
| Vietnamese | Tìm hiểu về các vi phạm và hình phạt theo luật liên bang ở UAE |
| Malay | Memahami Pelanggaran dan Penalti di bawah Undang-undang Persekutuan di UAE |
| Indonesian | Memahami Pelanggaran dan Penalti berdasarkan Hukum Federal di UEA |
| Polish | Zrozumienie wykroczeń i kar wynikających z prawa federalnego w ZEA |
Frequently Asked Questions
Question: What is the maximum penalty for an infraction in the UAE?
Answer: Under Article 31 of Federal Decree-Law No. 31 of 2021, custody of between 24 hours and 10 days, a fine not exceeding AED 10,000, or both.
Legal Matter Type: Criminal Law / Offence Classification
Question: Is an infraction the same as a misdemeanour?
Answer: No. A misdemeanour is punishable by imprisonment, a fine of more than AED 10,000 or Diya (Article 30). An infraction carries only short custody and/or a fine of up to AED 10,000 (Article 31).
Legal Matter Type: Criminal Law / Offence Classification
Question: Does a lighter sentence turn a felony into a misdemeanour?
Answer: No. Under Article 28, the type of crime does not change if the court imposes a milder penalty because of legal excuses or extenuating circumstances, unless the law provides otherwise.
Legal Matter Type: Criminal Law / Sentencing
Question: Where are infractions set out?
Answer: Article 27 lists the three types of crime. Many individual infractions are set out in other federal and local laws and regulations, so the notice you receive should state which provision applies.
Legal Matter Type: Criminal Law / Offence Classification
Disclaimer
The information provided in this article is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. No lawyer-client relationship is formed by reading this content. You should contact a qualified legal professional to obtain advice with respect to any particular legal matter in the UAE.