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If you’re ever been charged with a crime, you’ll doubtlessly have a lot of things going through your mind. The panic and anxiety that often come with facing serious criminal charges can be overwhelming and cause you to make mistakes that further incriminate you. Critically, when it comes to criminal law in Singapore, the country has a complex legal system with specific procedures and countless nuances that can even licenced lawyers may struggle to navigate. For these reasons, it’s important to seek expert legal assistance as soon as possible.
Fortunately, Singapore’s famously strict justice system is also known for being one of the fairest and most transparent in the world, which means you’ll have access to multiple opportunities to seek assistance. Here are several tips about where to find the legal assistance you need to beat ongoing criminal charges:
1. Online Legal Resources
Explore the free online legal resources provided by the Singapore Ministry of Law and other reputable legal organisations. These resources may offer general information about criminal offences and legal processes as well as contact details of lawyers and law firms that specialise in Singapore criminal law.
2. Legal Aid Bureau
If you are unable to afford a private lawyer, you may be eligible for assistance from the Singapore Ministry of Law’s Legal Aid Bureau (LAB). The legal advice offered through the LAB is free. However, you may be required to pay other fees needed to facilitate your legal defence.
The LAB operates a helpline that’s open on weekdays from 8:30 am to 5:00 pm. If you’re being charged within Singapore, you can reach it at 1800-CALL-LAW (1800 2255 529) for preliminary legal advice. If you’re located overseas, you can call +65 62255 529.
3. Singapore Police Force
Article 9(3) of the Constitution of the Republic of Singapore guarantees that arrested persons “shall be allowed to consult and be defended by a legal practitioner of (their) choice”. Should you find yourself in police custody, you can request the investigating officer to contact a lawyer on your behalf.
Note that your right to a lawyer is generally triggered only after the Singapore Police are done with their interrogation. Additionally, while the Singapore Constitution guarantees your right to legal counsel, you will not have a “right to remain silent”. You are compelled by Section 22(2) of the Criminal Procedure Code to truthfully state what you know about the case, with the exceptions of direct admissions of guilt or anything that would open you up to a criminal charge.
4. Community Legal Clinics
Singapore has a long list of community legal clinics and organizations that provide free or low-cost legal assistance. These organizations can be a good option for initial consultations and guidance on legal matters.
While most of these clinics should be able to provide some kind of assistance, not all of them will necessarily be qualified to handle a serious criminal case. If at all possible, try to make sure that the clinics that you engage specialise in Singapore criminal law.
4. Law Society of Singapore
The Law Society of Singapore can provide referrals to qualified criminal defence lawyers, including some who work pro bono. The society maintains a directory of current practising lawyers according to specialisation, allowing you to choose a professional with expertise in criminal law in Singapore.
5. Law School Clinics
As a last resort, you can consider reaching out to legal clinics connected to law schools in Singapore. Most law schools will have programs where law students provide legal assistance under the supervision of school faculty members. Generally, students from these clinics will not be providing legal representation in court. However, they can still be a valuable source of solid legal advice as well as referrals to qualified criminal defence lawyers.
6. Family and Friends
While your first priority should be to build a robust legal defence, it’s also important that you maintain your emotional health. Your family and friends should be able to provide you with the emotional support you need to keep your composure in this trying time. Importantly, they can assist with finding suitable legal representation and funding your defence.
Can I Defend Myself in Court?
Singapore’s justice system does allow self-representation in court as a litigant-in-person (LIP). However, it is almost universally a bad idea, given the high stakes and emotions involved in criminal cases. Also, as an LIP, you will not be given preferential treatment and will be held to the same procedural rules and standards as fully licensed lawyers.
Don’t Wait to Get Charged; Get Legal Help Today
If you reasonably expect to be hit with criminal charges in the near future, don’t wait until you’ve been arrested before you contact a criminal defence lawyer. Having a legal expert on retainer can make the experience of being charged or arrested far less fraught with uncertainty and stress, and it will be less confusing than it would be otherwise. Trying out to options above can, therefore, be a strategic move that helps ensure both preparedness and peace of mind.
