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General rules of the penal system

Course Description: The course covers the general principles of crime, including its elements and types. Each crime is analyzed independently by stating its general and specific elements, attempt, criminal participation and its forms, defenses to criminal responsibility and grounds for justification. It also covers the definition and characteristics of punishment, the theory of sanctions, and the general principles of precautionary measures.

Credit hours: 3

Objectives of the course :

The goal of this course is to introduce the student to the general principles governing criminalization and punishment, in accordance with Islamic Sharia and the regulations issued in this regard in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Unified Penal Law for the Cooperation Council for the Arab States of the Gulf, using a comparative approach to practices in other systems, as appropriate for the time period allocated for the study of this course.

Course outputs :

Knowledge and understanding:
1- Understand the systemic and legal concepts and terms of the penal system.
2. Describe the basic principles and theories related to the general rules of the penal system.
Skills:
To apply penal regulations to disputes.
2. To analyze the regulatory texts governing the general rules of the penal system.
3- Conduct a systematic research on one of the course-related topics using modern technological tools.
Values, autonomy and responsibility:
1. To adhere to Islamic values and professional ethics, and to participate in finding constructive solutions to social issues.
2. To take responsibility for self-directed and group work.
3- To exemplify good morals, self-confidence, understanding of others, and commitment to the values of loyalty and belonging to the country and its leadership.

Additional information:

Course Topics:
Introduction to the criminal justice system and the principles upon which it is based.
Application of criminal law in terms of time and space.
(Study of Crime and its Elements) Definition of Crime and its Elements, The Material Element and its Elements).
Study of the initiation of a crime, its elements, and its types + midterm exam.
Criminal contribution (criminal complicity).
The moral element of a crime (its definition and image).
Exemptions from liability and grounds for immunity.
Reasons for justification and permissibility.
Multiple Crimes and Their Judgments, Recidivism and Its Judgments.
What are criminal penalties and precautionary measures?.
Application of punishment, multiplicity and overlap of punishments, individualization of punishment, preventive measures for punishment.
Enforcement of penalties, conditions for suspension of execution, lapse of penalties and its reasons, rehabilitation, its nature and conditions.

Last Updated: 2026-05-11