Drug use and alcohol misuse in UAE to get more fines instead of jail term
June 14, 2024
By Expat Media
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More fines for drug use and alcohol misuse, no jail term
The UAE Attorney-General issued several resolutions in adjusting certain crimes with fines instead of jail terms.
Dr. Hamad Said Al Shamsi, UAE Attorney-General gave the courts in the country to punish offenses with fines such as drug possession, public drunkenness, and driving permit-related offenses.
Offenders with possession of drugs classified as personal use will not be sent to jail.
First-time offenders will be fined between Dh10,000 to Dh30,000, while a third offense will be penalized with Dh50,000.
The new anti-drug law was pushed as some users may have been patients or victims of drug dealers.
Drug smuggling, however, is still subject to tough penalties with a minimum sentence of five years and at most a death sentence depending on the prosecutors.
For offenses in relation to alcohol, providing alcohol to people under the age of 21 will be fined Dh20,000.
Drinking alcohol in public and causing a public disturbance while drunk will be fined from Dh1,000 to Dh5,000 with no jail term.
Prosecutors in Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, Ajman, Fujairah, and Umm Al Quwain will deal with the 41 offenses that have been changed from jail time to fines.
Dubai and Ras Al Khaimah are subject to their own attorney generals and court systems.
The extensive overhaul of the criminal penalties system is an attempt of resolving lawsuits swiftly and at the same time provide globally standard judicial and legal services that will truly meet the community's needs. KSO/Expat Media
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