Criminal Complaint

A criminal complaint is a formal report filed by a victim, witness, or concerned party with the competent UAE police station or Public Prosecution accusing a specific person of a criminal offence. The complaint triggers a police investigation during which statements are taken, evidence collected, and suspects may be summoned or detained. The Public Prosecution then decides whether to refer the case to a criminal court, shelve it for insufficient evidence, or settle certain minor offences. For a set of personal offences — including misdemeanour insult, defamation, minor assault and some family offences — the law requires a complaint from the victim and allows withdrawal before final judgment, which terminates the prosecution. Filing a knowingly false complaint is itself a crime.