Territorial Jurisdiction:
Territorial jurisdiction is defined by Article 7 of the Penal Code, which specifies that Jordanian law applies to crimes committed within the Kingdom’s borders. This includes crimes committed by individuals, whether Jordanian or foreign, within Jordan’s territory, airspace (up to five kilometers from the shore), and its regional sea. It extends to foreign territory occupied by the Jordanian army if the crime affects the army’s safety or interests. However, there are exceptions, such as crimes committed on board foreign aircraft within Jordan’s airspace, which are subject to Jordanian law if the crime exceeds the aircraft’s threshold or if the perpetrator or victim is Jordanian.
Personal Jurisdiction
Personal jurisdiction, as outlined in Article 10 of the Penal Code, mandates the application of Jordanian law to Jordanians, regardless of their location, if they commit specific crimes, such as offenses against state security or counterfeiting. This jurisdiction also extends to Jordanians who commit crimes outside the country and to non-Jordanians residing in Jordan who commit crimes abroad, provided extradition has not been requested or accepted.
Venue Jurisdiction
Venue jurisdiction refers to the geographic area where a court has authority. Article 8 of the Penal Code provides exceptions to territorial jurisdiction, stating that Jordanian law does not apply to crimes committed on board foreign aircraft within Jordan’s airspace if the crime does not exceed the aircraft’s threshold. Additionally, crimes committed in Jordan’s regional sea or airspace may not fall under Jordanian jurisdiction if they do not surpass the vessel or ship’s boundaries.
In conclusion, these jurisdictional principles aim to uphold the sovereignty of the state, ensuring that Jordanian law applies to specific crimes committed within its territory and by its citizens, both domestically and abroad.