Fines up to BD 3,000: Bahrain introduces faster penalties for minor offenses

His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa has enacted Decree-Law No. (32) of 2025, introducing significant amendments to Bahrain’s Criminal Procedure Law. The changes, targeting minor criminal offenses, streamline prosecution and empower Public Prosecution to handle such cases more efficiently, emphasizing prompt justice, reduced caseloads, and proportionality of penalties.

TL;DR:

• New law allows judges to impose fines up to BD 3,000 ($8,000) for minor offenses, sometimes bypassing full trials.
  
  
  
• Public Prosecution can now issue criminal orders for lesser crimes, promoting quicker resolutions.
  
  
• Fines and supplementary penalties can be applied based on case circumstances and evidence, without formal hearings.
  

Details of the Decree and legal changes
Background:
Decree-Law No. (32) of 2025 amends Bahrain’s criminal legal framework as outlined in Decree-Law No. (46) of 2002. The new provisions are the result of a proposal by the Prime Minister and Cabinet approval.

Article 273:

• Public Prosecution may ask a Minor Court judge to impose a fine not exceeding BD 3,000, instead of pursuing tougher penalties.
  
• This can be decided based on available evidence and investigation reports, without a formal trial or public hearing.
  

Article 274:

• Such decisions are limited to fines up to BD 3,000, with possible supplementary penalties and legal costs.
  
• The court can also issue acquittals, dismiss civil claims, or suspend enforcement of the penalty as warranted by the case.
  

Article 280 (First Paragraph):

• Deputy Public Prosecutors or higher-ranking prosecutors may issue criminal orders for offenses punishable by up to one year in prison or fines exceeding BD 2,000.
  
• The criminal orders can only impose fines up to BD 2,000 and supplementary penalties.
  
• Issuing such orders is mandatory in minor violations.
  

Implementation: The decree instructs the Prime Minister and responsible ministers to implement these amendments, which come into force the day after their official publication in the gazette.

Purpose and impact
These reforms are aimed at:

• Speeding up judicial proceedings for minor infractions.
  
• Reducing strain on Bahrain’s courts by resolving less-serious cases without lengthy trials.
  
• Ensuring that penalties for minor offenses remain proportionate, fair, and quickly adjudicated.
  
• Allowing courts and prosecutors to focus resources on more serious criminal matters.

King Hamad’s new criminal procedure decree marks a move towards smarter, more efficient justice for minor offenses in Bahrain, promoting swift accountability and proportional punishment while reducing unnecessary delays.

FAQ

• 1. What does the new law change about handling minor crimes in Bahrain?
  Judges and Public Prosecution can now impose fines for minor offenses quickly, sometimes without a formal trial.
  
• 2. What is the maximum fine for minor offenses under the new decree?
  Courts can impose fines up to BD 3,000; Public Prosecution criminal orders are capped at BD 2,000.
  
• 3. Who can issue these fines and criminal orders?
  Judges of Minor Courts and Public Prosecutors at least at the Deputy level have these powers.
  
• 4. Can penalties be issued without a trial?
  Yes, in many minor cases, fines and supplementary penalties can be decided on evidence without holding a public hearing.
  
• 5. When does the new law take effect?
  The amendments are effective the day after publication in Bahrain’s official gazette.