Special Criminal Court
Jordan's State Security Court: Jurisdiction and Procedural Framework
A concise overview of the State Security Court's role within Jordan's criminal justice system, outlining the categories of offences it hears, its composition, and trial and release procedures. The summary emphasizes practical effects regarding jurisdiction, appeal routes, and prosecutorial and bail-related procedures.
Updated: 26 July 2025
Prepared and reviewed by: Ashraf Al-Khawaja
Nature of the Court and Its Jurisdiction
The State Security Court is a special tribunal formed by prime‑ministerial decision to adjudicate offences affecting internal or external state security and other offences enumerated in the State Security Court law and related statutes (e.g. Penal Code, State Secrets, Drugs, Firearms, Civil Aviation). The Prime Minister may refer additional economic‑security offences to it, and the statutory scope extends to conspirators, inciters, facilitators and attemptors connected to such offences.
Composition and Appointments
The court comprises three civil and/or military judges appointed by the Prime Minister following nominations by the Minister of Justice for civilians and by the Chief of Staff for military judges, with composition published in the Official Gazette. The Chief of Staff appoints the military justice director (or a deputy) as public prosecutor before the court, and military judges may be designated to act as prosecutors or assistants under the criminal procedure law.
Trial Procedure and Procedural Safeguards
Trials before the State Security Court are public unless closed for public interest, and defendants have the right to counsel. Proceedings are expedited: the court must hear incoming cases within ten days, hold consecutive sessions, and adjournments should not exceed 48 hours except for stated necessity. On investigative detention, police may hold suspects up to seven days before referral; prosecutors may order detention in misdemeanour matters for an initial period not exceeding 15 days, renewable as necessary but with cumulative renewal limits as prescribed by the law.
Appeal to the Court of Cassation and Its Effects
Felony convictions by the State Security Court are appealable to the Court of Cassation within 30 days from in‑court delivery (or from notification if in absentia); misdemeanours have a 15‑day appeal period. Sentences involving death or prison terms of ten years or more may be referred to cassation automatically, and the public prosecutor must transmit the case file when required. The Cassation Court sits with at least five judges and may treat the appeal as a substantive review, affirm, reverse or substitute the appropriate ruling; special safeguards apply where the lower court acquitted the defendant, including limits on convicting without rehearing evidence.
Bail, Practical Implications and Limits
A release (bail) request is filed before the State Security Court itself if the case is before that court; if the matter is at the public prosecution phase, the request is submitted to the court after bringing the file. Bail and release rulings may be appealed to the Court of Cassation acting as a court of merits. In practice, the interplay between civil and military judicial functions within the court’s prosecutorial structure underscores the need to verify the applicable statutory text and procedural safeguards for each individual case.
Legal notice
Notice: This is general educational material based on published sources and has been summarised for clarity. The full statutory texts, judgments and updates are linked from the original page and should be verified against the binding versions and any amendments in the Official Gazette or other official sources. For binding legal advice, consult a licensed Jordanian lawyer.
Sources and references
Verify the official text and latest amendments before relying on this material professionally.