Criminal Law
Said Ibrahim Ambusaidi Advocates (SIA) in Muscat defends criminal cases at every stage in Oman, from investigation before the Public Prosecution to trial and appeal, under the Penal Law, Royal Decree 7/2018, and the Criminal Procedure Law, Royal Decree 97/99. The firm acts for accused persons and for victims pursuing their rights within criminal proceedings.
What we handle
- Defense during investigation and at trial
- Representation before the Public Prosecution
- Drafting and filing criminal complaints
- Bail and release applications
- Appeals before the Court of Appeal and the Supreme Court
- Victims' rights and civil claims within criminal cases
How do we defend your criminal case?
The first hours after a summons or arrest matter most. We attend investigation sessions with you before the Public Prosecution, make sure your statements are recorded accurately, and ensure you use the guarantees the Criminal Procedure Law, Royal Decree 97/99, provides, including the right to a lawyer.
We request access to the case file and examine the prosecution's evidence piece by piece: arrest reports, witness statements, and technical reports. We then build the defense, whether by challenging the validity of procedures, contesting the elements of the offence, or establishing grounds that negate or reduce liability under the Penal Law, Royal Decree 7/2018.
We appear at every hearing before the competent court, file memoranda, and examine witnesses. If the judgment goes against you, we prepare the appeal to the Court of Appeal and, where the law allows, a further challenge before the Supreme Court within the legal deadlines.
What are your rights if you are arrested in Oman?
An accused person is presumed innocent until convicted by a court. You have the right to know the charge against you and to have a lawyer present during investigation. The Criminal Procedure Law, Royal Decree 97/99, sets out the guarantees of the accused through the evidence-gathering, investigation, and trial stages.
Our standing advice: do not sign a statement you have not read carefully, and where possible do not answer substantive questions before consulting your lawyer. Call us, or have your family call us, as early as you can. A correct step taken early saves months of correction later.
Where the law permits, we apply for release on bail for a client held in pre-trial detention, present the guarantees that secure attendance at investigation and trial, and follow the application before the competent authority until it is decided.
Do we act for victims as well?
Yes. We draft criminal complaints, file them with the competent authorities, follow the investigation, and put forward the documents, witnesses, and reports that support the complaint.
We also pursue the civil claim within the criminal case itself, seeking compensation for the harm the offence caused, which often removes the need for a separate civil lawsuit. We assess your position in the free first consultation and set out the most effective route to your rights.
Frequently asked questions
When do I need a criminal lawyer in Oman?
From the moment of a summons or arrest, not after the case reaches court. What is said and recorded in the first evidence-gathering and investigation reports shapes the entire file, and correcting it later is far harder than getting it right early. Call SIA in Muscat on +968 9706 3030 as soon as you learn of any procedure. The first consultation is free by phone or WhatsApp.
Which law sets out crimes and penalties in Oman?
The Penal Law promulgated by Royal Decree 7/2018 is the general law defining crimes and penalties in Oman, replacing the former Penal Law of Royal Decree 7/74. Specific laws sit alongside it for particular offences, such as the law on information technology crimes. Arrest, investigation, and trial procedures are governed by the Criminal Procedure Law, Royal Decree 97/99.
Is release on bail possible during investigation?
Yes, in the cases the Criminal Procedure Law, Royal Decree 97/99, permits. The decision rests with the competent authority and depends on the stage of the case and the nature and circumstances of the offence. We prepare the bail application, present suitable guarantees, and follow it until it is decided. An application built on clear, specific grounds stands a materially better chance.
How do I file a criminal complaint in Oman?
A complaint is filed with the police or the Public Prosecution depending on the nature of the incident, supported by whatever documents and witness names are available. We draft the complaint precisely, stating the facts and the legal description that fits them, follow the investigation once it is registered, and can join a civil claim within the criminal case to seek compensation for your loss.
Do you appear in courts outside Muscat?
Yes. The office is based in Al Khoudh, Seeb, in Muscat Governorate, and we represent clients before courts and investigation authorities across Oman, in Arabic and English. Reach us by phone or WhatsApp on +968 9706 3030. Working hours are Sunday to Thursday, 9:00 to 13:00 and 14:00 to 17:00 Oman time.
Your first consultation is free
Describe your matter on WhatsApp or by phone, and we will explain your legal position before any commitment.