Morocco Launches Alternative Sentencing Guide: A New Step Towards More Efficient and Humane Criminal Justice
The law No. 43.22 regarding alternative penalties came into effect on Friday, August 22, 2025, accompanied by the issuance of a guiding manual by the Office of the Public Prosecutor directed at public prosecutors on how to implement its provisions. This measure is part of the broader reforms taking place in the criminal justice system in the kingdom.
Hicham Belhaji, the Attorney General at the Court of Cassation and head of the Public Prosecutor’s Office, explained that the preparation of this manual reflects the active engagement of the Office of the Public Prosecutor in the reform process aimed at modernizing the legal system, in accordance with the royal directives outlined in King Mohammed VI’s speech on August 20, 2009, during the anniversary of the Revolution of the King and the People, emphasizing the need to develop criminal policy and adopt modern alternatives to prison sentences.
The guide, issued on August 1, 2025, serves as a practical reference for judges, including detailed explanations of the concept of alternative penalties and their types, clarifications regarding the categories of offenses covered and exempted, along with practical guidelines for proposing, implementing, and monitoring these penalties.
This reference aims to ensure the effective and proper application of the law, balancing community protection against crime with opportunities for the reintegration of convicts into society, while respecting victims’ rights and alleviating the financial burdens on the state in managing correctional institutions.
Belhaji emphasized that alternative penalties represent a pioneering legislative initiative that could enhance deterrent and rehabilitative measures within the national criminal justice system, affirming that the success of this initiative relies on the serious and responsible engagement of public prosecutors and all stakeholders within the judicial system, achieving the set objectives and responding to the aspirations of His Majesty the King to modernize and enhance the effectiveness of justice.
