Criminal matters in Jordan are governed by the Penal Code No. 16 of 1960 and the Code of Criminal Procedure No. 9 of 1961, with appeals running to the Court of Cassation. We defend individuals and companies in white-collar, cybercrime, fraud and serious criminal matters, from the first prosecutor interview onward.
Practice Area
Criminal Defence in Jordan
Discreet, principled criminal defence for individuals and corporations, from the first police interview through the Court of Cassation. Abdullah & Partners has defended clients in some of the most sensitive criminal matters in Jordan for over two decades.
Contact Us →Scope of Work
What We Handle
Our criminal defence practice spans white-collar matters, cybercrime and serious felonies across every Jordanian court.
Criminal Defence
Full representation from investigation through trial and appeal, before the Magistrate Courts, Courts of First Instance, Court of Appeal and Court of Cassation.
White-Collar Crime
Bank fraud, embezzlement, money laundering, corporate fraud and breach of trust under the Penal Code No. 16 of 1960, the Banking Law No. 28 of 2000, and the Anti-Money Laundering and Counter Terrorist Financing Law No. 20 of 2021.
Cybercrime Complaints
Offences under Jordan’s Cybercrime Law, including electronic fraud, hacking, unauthorised access and online harassment.
Online Defamation
Criminal defamation, slander and publication offences, a frequent concern for executives and public figures in Jordan.
Digital Evidence
Challenging and authenticating electronic evidence, forensic reports and digital chain-of-custody issues in criminal proceedings.
Fraud Defence
Defence against charges of commercial fraud, misrepresentation, forgery and financial crime in the business context.
Bail Hearings & Appeals
Urgent bail applications, detention challenges, sentence appeals and cassation petitions at every level of the Jordanian judiciary.
Who We Serve
Who We Help
Our criminal clients range from individuals to large corporations.
C-Suite Executives & Directors
Business Owners
Corporations & Financial Institutions
Individuals Facing Criminal Charges
Foreign Nationals in Jordan
Public Figures & Professionals
When To Call
Common Scenarios
Clients engage our criminal team in situations like these.
The client has been summoned for questioning by the public prosecutor and requires immediate legal representation before any statement is made.
A business partner has filed a criminal fraud complaint against the client, and a defence must be mounted while protecting the client's reputation.
The company is under investigation for financial irregularities, and directors face personal criminal exposure.
Defamatory content has been published about the client online, and the firm is instructed either to file a cybercrime complaint or defend against one.
A family member has been detained and the matter requires an urgent bail application before the court.
Our Method
Our Process
Criminal matters demand speed, strategy and confidentiality at every stage.
1. Intervene
We engage immediately, attending police stations, prosecutor offices and detention hearings to protect the client's rights from the first moment.
2. Investigate
We review every page of the prosecution file, forensic reports and witness statements, and retain technical experts where needed.
3. Defend
We build a rigorous defence strategy tailored to the charges, the court and the prosecutor, and advocate at trial with meticulous preparation.
4. Appeal
Where necessary, we pursue appeals through the Court of Appeal and Court of Cassation, challenging convictions and sentences on every available ground.
Why Us
Why Choose Us
Discretion
A long track record of keeping high-profile criminal matters out of the public eye, protecting reputation alongside liberty.
Technical Depth
Partners with a detailed command of the Jordanian Penal Code, Criminal Procedure Law, Cybercrime Law and related legislation.
Rapid Response
Criminal matters move fast. Our criminal practice is structured to accept urgent instructions outside standard business hours where the file requires it.
Ethical Practice
We are candid about prospects and principled in our advocacy. Every recommendation is driven by the client’s best interests.
Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What happens when a person is detained in Jordan?
Upon arrest, the detainee is taken to the police station for questioning and then referred to the public prosecutor within 24 hours. Every detainee has the right to a lawyer from the moment of detention. The prosecutor may extend detention for up to 15 days, renewable by court order.
Is bail available in Jordan?
Yes. Bail (kafala) is available for most offences, except the most serious felonies. The court sets bail conditions, which may include a financial guarantee, travel ban, or periodic reporting. We file bail applications immediately upon instruction.
What is the criminal process in Jordan?
The process begins with a complaint or police report, followed by a public prosecutor investigation. If charges are filed, the case proceeds to trial before the competent court (Magistrate, First Instance or Major Felonies). Judgments may be appealed to the Court of Appeal and ultimately the Court of Cassation.
What counts as cybercrime in Jordan?
Jordan’s Cybercrime Law covers a wide range of offences, including unauthorised access to computer systems, electronic fraud, online defamation, identity theft, hacking and distribution of illegal content. Penalties can include imprisonment and significant fines.
Can a foreigner be detained and charged in Jordan?
Yes. Foreign nationals are subject to Jordanian criminal law while in the Kingdom. They have the same procedural rights as Jordanian citizens, including the right to a lawyer, an interpreter and consular access. We regularly defend foreign nationals and coordinate with their embassies.
Connected Practices
Related Practice Areas
Criminal matters often overlap with our technology, litigation and corporate practices.
Technology & Cybersecurity
Cybercrime complaints, digital evidence, data protection and technology regulatory matters in Jordan.
Litigation & Dispute Resolution
Civil and commercial litigation at every level of the Jordanian court system.
Corporate & Commercial
Directors’ liability, corporate investigations and regulatory compliance.
Legal Basis
The Laws Behind Criminal Defence in Jordan
Criminal liability in Jordan is set out in the Penal Code No. 16 of 1960 and its amendments, while the conduct of an investigation and trial, including arrest, detention, bail and appeal, is governed by the Code of Criminal Procedure No. 9 of 1961. Financial and corporate offences draw on several further statutes: bank-related fraud under the Banking Law No. 28 of 2000, money laundering under the Anti-Money Laundering and Counter Terrorist Financing Law No. 20 of 2021, and electronic offences under the Cybercrime Law No. 17 of 2023. Cases move through the Magistrate Courts and the Courts of First Instance, with appeals to the Court of Appeal and, on points of law, to the Court of Cassation. Knowing which statute frames a charge, and which court will decide it, is what lets us shape a defence from the first day of an investigation. Source: Ministry of Justice.
Maintained by the Criminal Law Department of Abdullah & Partners, admitted to the Jordanian Bar Association. Last reviewed: June 2026. Next scheduled review: December 2026.
Abdullah & Partners
Abdullah & Partners is a law firm in Jordan, based in Amman, providing legal services in accordance with the laws of Jordan, the Jordanian Bar Association Law, and international conventions in force.
Established in Amman · Member of the Jordanian Bar Association
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