International Crime Witness, Part 1
Matthew Jung
Strayer University
CRJ 330: Comparative Criminal Justice
Dr. George Ackerman
05/08/2023
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International Crime
Any nation's legal architecture must have a robust criminal justice system because
it promotes societal stability and safety. It is crucial to comprehend the significant
regional variations in criminal codes and legal processes to assess the impartiality and
efficiency of a nation's criminal justice system. In this paper, we will look at Saudi
Arabia's criminal laws and judicial processes regarding a severe attack that an American
observed there. We will discuss the relevant demographic, social, political, and economic
aspects of Saudi Arabia, how the country's criminal code would interpret the crime, its
perspective on two individual rights granted to suspects in criminal cases in the US, how
the police would probably treat the defendant and the key parallels and divergences
between the police cultures in Saudi Arabia and the US.
Demographic, Social, Political, and Economic Factors of Saudi Arabia
Saudi Arabia, the biggest nation in the Middle East, is situated on the Arabian
Peninsula. Over 34.5 million people live in the nation, roughly 90% of whom are
Muslims. The capital city is Riyadh, and Arabic is the official language. The nation is the
world's biggest oil producer, and its economy highly relies on the commodity (Al-
Hanawi, 1). The government has been trying to wean the economy off of oil in recent
years.
Islam has a significant role in shaping Saudi Arabia's traditional social and
cultural traditions. For instance, women are expected to cover their bodies publicly and
have fewer legal protections than males. The King has total power as the country's chief
executive. Islamic law is the basis for the country's legal system, interpreted and
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implemented by religious scholars and the courts.
How Saudi Arabia's Criminal Code Would Likely View the Crime
Saudi Arabia's religious police, the Mutaween, uphold the country's Islamic law-
based criminal code. Assault is punishable by life in prison or perhaps the death penalty
in Saudi Arabia, depending on the circumstances of the attack and the victim's injuries
(Boateng, 2). The attacker may face the death sentence if the victim dies due to the
assault.
Concerns have been raised regarding human rights breaches in the Saudi Arabian
criminal court system, including torture and denial of due process. Suspects in criminal
cases have little protection under the law, and it is up to them to establish their innocence.
Two Individual Rights Granted to Criminal Suspects in the United States and Saudi
Arabia's Perspective on Each Right
Criminal suspects in the United States are granted several individual rights, such
as the right to legal representation and protection against arbitrary searches and seizures.
Criminal suspects in Saudi Arabia have few legal protections, and the focus is more on
punishing the perpetrator than upholding the rights of the accused (Raad, 3).
In order to ensure a fair trial, criminal defendants in the United States are
guaranteed the fundamental right to counsel. However, in Saudi Arabia, the right to
counsel is not a given, and those being tried cannot have access to counsel at all.
Confessions are necessary for the judicial system, and it has been stated that torture is
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used to get confessions.
Another crucial privilege given to criminal defendants in the United States is the
defense against unjustified searches and seizures. However, the Saudi legal system offers
minimal protection against unreasonable searches and seizures, and the government has
extensive latitude to carry out such operations without a warrant.
How the Police in Saudi Arabia Would Likely Treat the Defendant
The Saudi Arabian police can make arrests and launch investigations, and they are
renowned for their rigorous adherence to the nation's criminal law. In the event of a
severe assault, the police would probably detain the offender and launch an inquiry to
ascertain the facts of the attack and the damage sustained by the victim (ibid, 2).
The Saudi judicial system is renowned for its severe penalties, and the police
would probably pursue the criminal aggressively. The defendant may have substantial
difficulties in defending himself against the allegations, and the police may employ
pressure or intimidation to get a confession. The onus of evidence rests with the accused,
yet in circumstances of serious assault, the police may be quick to infer guilt. In a case of
serious assault, the way Saudi Arabian police would handle the defendant would probably
be quite different from how American police would handle one. Islamic law is the
foundation for Saudi Arabia's criminal justice system, which accords criminal defendants
with few rights, especially when severe crimes have been committed.
After being taken into custody, the defendant would probably be kept there while
the police looked into the case. In Saudi Arabia, the onus of proof rests with the accused,
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and in circumstances of serious assault, the government may infer guilt without waiting
for sufficient evidence (ibid, 2). The police may conduct lengthy interrogations without
the suspect receiving legal representation or informing the defendant's family. They may
use pressure or intimidation to force the prisoner into confessing.
Fundamental Similarities and Differences between Police Culture in Saudi Arabia
and the United States
Each nation's social, cultural, and political variables influence police culture in
Saudi Arabia and the United States. Some fundamental parallels and contrasts exist
between Saudi Arabian and American police cultures (Sendi, 2019). The focus on
preserving law and order and protecting public safety is one of the critical commonalities.
Both nations have law enforcement institutions tasked with upholding the rule of law and
safeguarding residents from crime and violence.
However, the two nations have numerous significant distinctions in law
enforcement culture. One of the most significant distinctions is the function of the police
in society. The police in Saudi Arabia are seen as enforcers of the country's strict moral
code and are authorized to enforce religious and cultural values (Sendi, 4). In contrast,
police officers in the United States are seen as guardians of individual rights and liberties,
and they are required to maintain the Constitution and protect civilians from harm.
Another distinction is the police force's degree of accountability and openness.
There is a considerable focus in the United States on police accountability and openness,
and there are systems that investigate and punish police misbehavior. In Saudi Arabia,
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however, there is no transparency or responsibility in the police force, and there have
been instances of officials abusing authority and violating human rights.
Conclusion
In conclusion, criminal defendants in Saudi Arabia have little protection under the
country's legal system since it is founded on Islamic law. Assault is a serious crime with
severe consequences, including life in jail or even the death penalty in extreme cases. The
Saudi Arabian police are noted for their stringent enforcement of the country's criminal
law, and they have the authority to make arrests and investigate crimes.
When comparing the police cultures of Saudi Arabia with the United States, there are
several notable distinctions. The Saudi public views the police as upholders of the
country's moral code, whereas Americans see the police as defenders of civil liberties.
Furthermore, in the United States, police accountability and openness are given high
priority, but in Saudi Arabia, these factors need more attention. To evaluate the fairness
and efficiency of a country's criminal justice system, it is crucial to be familiar with how
it differs from the systems in other nations.
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References
1. Al-Hanawi, M. K., & Keetile, M. (2021). Socio-economic and demographic correlates
of non-communicable disease risk factors among adults in Saudi
Arabia. Frontiers in Medicine, 8, 605912.
2. Boateng, F. D., Pryce, D. K., & Alotaibi, H. A. (2023). Crime and punishment in Saudi
Arabia: lashing, imprisonment, and other unusual punishments. Child Abuse &
Neglect, 135, 105948.
3. Raad, M. (2022). Defamation under Subarticle 3 (5) of the Saudi Arabian Anti-
Cybercrime Law. Journal of Law in the Middle East, (2), 16-16.
4. Sendi, K. (2019). A Comparative Analysis of Saudi Women's Educational Experiences
in Graduate English Programs in Two International Contexts: Saudi Arabia and
the United States (Doctoral dissertation, The University of New Mexico).
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