Q: How do the police and courts determine who is responsible when one driver files a case against another in traffic cases? Sentences in these types of cases seem conflicting and residents are wary of the system.
A: Reports of minor incidents are drafted by police at the scene upon evaluating the crash. Police are trained in how to assess who is right and wrong. However, sometimes there may be no disagreement between two parties involved in a minor incident, so expertise is not required. A mobile application is now available that allows people involved in a crash to obtain a police report in three minutes by taking photos of the incident using the app. Problems arise when it is unclear to the untrained eye who is responsible for the crash, especially if the person responsible is trying to evade punishment. In this case, if the police officer is unable to retrace the incident to identify the person at fault, or should anyone concerned object to the report, they have the right to file an appeal before the public prosecution. Prosecutors or the court itself will then call in an expert to review the incident and determine responsibility.
Q: When people live in gated communities, such as Emaar's Springs and Meadows, or Nakheel's The Palm Jumeirah, what legal action can a tenant take if someone they want to give access to is forbidden from entering? This happens frequently with Emaar when they mistake people for beggars. What are the rights of tenants, as they are not owners, if the community management do not do what the tenant asks?
A: The developers of these communities are eager to provide more privacy and security than in open spaces, which distinguishes such areas from other residential locations. The tenant should take this into account and adhere to rules and regulations governing the entry and exit of visitors, such as notifying security of expected visitors, to grant them unrestricted access.
Q: If you get wounded/hurt after consuming an alcoholic drink (without alcohol licence) and go to the hospital, does the hospital have to report you? Can police arrest you at the hospital for illegal consumption of alcoholic drinks? What are your rights?
A: If the hospital administration believes that the injury is the result of a crime, it is compelled to report any such crime that may be uncovered during the patient's examination. Injuries resulting from consuming alcohol without a licence would most likely be reported by a hospital.
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