Service · Lucent Legal

Criminal lawyer in Dubai: defence after an arrest or police case

A UAE criminal case runs on tight deadlines: police have 48 hours to hand the file to the prosecution, and the prosecutor has 24 hours to question the suspect. We help you work out which stage you are at and use those hours well. At the prosecution and in court, a UAE-licensed advocate we work with represents you.

When people come to us

  • You or someone close was arrested, and you don't know where they are or what the charge is.
  • Police or the prosecution called and want you to come in for questioning.
  • Someone filed a complaint against you over a cheque, a debt, a fight or a WhatsApp message.
  • A check showed a case or a travel ban, and you are about to fly.
  • A court handed down a sentence, maybe in your absence or with deportation.
  • You were defrauded and want a complaint filed so that someone acts on it.

What we do

  1. We find the stage: police, prosecution or court, the case number, any travel ban. We check by Emirates ID and case number in the official services.
  2. We read the charge: which article, private or public right, whether settlement is possible.
  3. We prepare you for questioning: what to say, the interpreter, and why you never sign an Arabic statement you don't understand. A UAE-licensed advocate defends you at questioning and in court.
  4. We work on release: bail by passport or cash, a guarantor, the conditions.
  5. We see the case through: settlement and closure, trial, an appeal within 15 days of the verdict, and the ban lifted once the case closes.

Timelines and what drives the cost

We quote after the review. The fee depends on the stage (police, prosecution, court, appeal), the number of hearings, the emirate, and whether you need a power of attorney from abroad. Bail is a separate amount set by the prosecutor or the court; no fixed schedule exists.

The law sets the deadlines: 48 hours for the police, 24 hours for the prosecutor's questioning, then custody of up to 7 days, extendable to 14. An appeal must be filed within 15 days of the verdict. Nobody can tell you in advance how long the whole case will take.

Why Lucent Legal

  • An honest assessment first. If you have no case, you hear it at the review, before you pay anything.
  • UAE-licensed advocates. We handle the review, strategy, paperwork and negotiations; in court you are represented by an advocate licensed in the UAE whom we work with.
  • English and Russian. We explain your case in plain language.
  • Confidential. Your documents and messages stay with us.
  • Office in Dubai: Oxford Tower, Office 307, Business Bay. LUCENT LEGAL MANAGEMENT CONSULTANCIES CO. L.L.C, DET licence No. 1192929.

FAQ

How much does a criminal lawyer cost in Dubai?

In our market review, criminal defence in Dubai runs from about AED 15,000 to 150,000+. Minor misdemeanours sit at the low end, complex financial cases at the high end. We quote our own fee after the review.

Are you criminal defence advocates?

Lucent Legal holds a management consultancy licence (LUCENT LEGAL MANAGEMENT CONSULTANCIES CO. L.L.C, DET No. 1192929). We run the review, strategy, documents and negotiations ourselves. At the prosecution and in criminal court, a UAE-licensed advocate we work with represents you.

Someone close was arrested. What should I do right now?

Find out which station holds them and what the charge is, tell their consulate, and get an advocate in before the prosecution questions them. Police have 48 hours to pass the file to the prosecution, and the prosecutor has 24 hours to question.

Can they get out on bail?

Often, yes. Bail in the UAE is usually a passport, their own or a guarantor's, sometimes with cash. The prosecutor decides, and the court does once the case reaches it. Serious charges and drug trafficking usually get no bail.

Can a criminal case be closed by settlement?

Only for private-right charges such as theft, fraud, defamation or insult, and only once the prosecution or court formally accepts the victim's waiver. For public-right charges such as drugs, settlement does not close the case.

How long do I have to appeal a criminal verdict?

15 days from the day the verdict is read out. A judgment in absentia for a misdemeanour is challenged by an objection within 7 days of notification.

Can you handle my case if I've left the UAE?

We can check the case remotely. For steps at the prosecution and in court, the advocate needs a notarised and legalised power of attorney. We'll tell you at the review which steps need you in person.

Related guides

This material is for information only and is not legal advice. UAE law changes — a lawyer will assess how it applies to your situation.