If you are under investigation or have been charged with a crime in Singapore, you need expert advice from a specialist criminal lawyer in Singapore.
Engaging a criminal defence lawyer in Singapore can make a significant difference in your case. Our specialist criminal lawyers understand that criminal cases are frightening events that cause anxiety and stress to both you and your loved ones. It’s easy to feel overwhelmed by police investigations and the legal system. You may feel like no-one is listening to you and things start to feel hopeless. It doesn’t have to be that way. We’re here to help and to put your mind at ease, we promise.
We understand that there are always two-sides to a story and we will always listen to you patiently and compassionately, without any judgement.A criminal defence attorney in Singapore knows the intricacies of the legal system and can provide the expertise you need. We’ve seen and heard it all and nothing can shock us. We understand that most criminal cases involve good and decent people who made a mistake.
We’ll help you get your life back on track quickly and smoothly. Tell us your side of things and we’ll fight to the end to make sure that your story is heard. Our criminal defence lawyers in Singapore will fearlessly protect your rights and ensure that you receive justice. A criminal lawyer in Singapore who understands your situation can be instrumental in achieving a favorable outcome.
If the Police call you down for a statement or for questioning you should know that this is the most important moment in the entire criminal case. Everything you say in your statement can and will be used against you later in Court. You won’t be allowed to have any family members or legal representation present when giving your statement.
Also, no copy of the statement will ever be given to you. If you change your story later on after engaging a famous criminal lawyer in Singapore, your initial statement will be used to contradict you and challenge your credibility. What you say in your statement can be the difference between jail and a fine.
If you have been informed that you are under investigation by the Police, you should contact a specialist criminal lawyer in Singapore immediately for legal advice before giving your statement. A criminal defence attorney can provide you with the guidance you need during this critical time.
Our team will guide you with these technicalities and assist you throughout the investigation process both Pre-charge and Post-charge. The earlier you speak to us the more likely it is that we can get your case dismissed.
During your case review, you’ll receive top quality advice from one of the best criminal lawyers in Singapore. Our focus is always on you and you only. We strongly believe that you deserve the best advice possible so that you can make an educated and informed decision about your future for yourself.
It’s our promise to you that you’ll always get a 100% straight and honest answer from us about your case. We’ll review your case and assess the situation. If we can help, we’ll fight for you till the very end until there are no options left. If things are bad, we’ll tell you honestly without any sugar-coating. We won’t take your money unless we can actually help you.
Our clients love us and respect us for our honesty and authenticity. Even when they are convicted or sent to prison, our clients are still happy with us and our service because of our honesty and dedication. Our main priority is in ensuring that our clients are happy with us and feel that they have received good value from our service. Have a look at our Google reviews and see for yourself.
When you hire a criminal lawyer from Bishop Law, what you’re getting is a friend in your corner who will listen to you patiently, protect you as a fiduciary and fight for you against all the odds. A criminal defence lawyer in Singapore will not only provide legal expertise but also offer the support you need to navigate through tough times.
We're focused, we're organised and we're committed to getting the result for the client. We believe that you have a right to an expert criminal lawyer who will fight for you throughout the case.
We don’t judge. Our drug lawyers will fight for you and ensure that the police have complied with all their procedures and protocols.
When you’ve made a mistake, our traffic crime lawyers will fervently mitigate on your behalf and ensure that the your punishment is fair and proportional.
Our expert criminal lawyers fight to win our clients' cases until the very end and even when we lose, our clients are satisfied with our services.
We listen to you and treat your situation as if we were in your shoes. Every case is handled directly by the Managing Director of the firm. We never judge and we always put your interests first.
We do our own investigation and find the best way to present your case to the Prosecution. This means phone, letters, and aggressive advocacy on your behalf at every stage.
We never give up, and we fight until the very end. Our criminal lawyers will ensure that all options have been explored and exhausted in your case.
You get dedicated time with one of our specialist criminal solicitors on the phone or by video call with no obligation.
When we're talking with you, we promise to always be non-judgmental and sensitive to what you're going through. We’ll treat you with compassion and kindness and protect you from the Police, the Prosecution and even the Media.
Our criminal lawyers ask the right questions so we can understand what's going on, and provide you with practical advice.
In more serious or difficult situations we may need up to a full hour to discuss your case.
For the majority of cases which are less serious or complex, 10-20 minutes would be enough to advise you.
If it's obvious straight away that we wouldn't be able to help, we'll tell you straight away and point you in the right direction to find lawyers who can help.
We can usually offer a fixed fee instalment plan so you can plan for the expense, and so you can fund your case in stages while it is continuing.
Once we have an idea of what kind of case you are facing and what work that will be necessary, we will then be able to provide you with a fixed fee quote. This means that you know before you commit how much your case will cost.
Representation at interview or court hearings
Conferences with your lawyers
Analysing the evidence & investigating
Negotiating with police or prosecutors
We'll get back to you as soon as possible. We are happy to speak to you if you have a query, and either have a consultation on the phone or by video call if necessary.
We generally charged fixed fees and we allow instalment payments. Our prices start from $3000 for minor offences. Speak to us for a case review for a fixed-fee quote for your case.
For claim trial cases we would need to assess your situation before giving you a quote.
There are many possible outcomes in a criminal case. Prison sentences are only imposed when the offence is serious enough to warrant it. Many times we are able to get cases dismissed with a warning or with a fine. Of course each situation depends on the facts. It's best you get advice from an expert in criminal law defence in Singapore to help you understand what your chances are.
It depends on the type of offence you have committed. For some less serious offences there would no longer be a record after several years. For more serious offences there would always be a criminal record unfortunately. A criminal record isn't the end of the world. Many of our criminal law firm’s clients get their lives back on track and go on to enjoy a happy life and career. Our expert criminal lawyer in Singapore will advise you and help you plan for the future.
This depends on a number of things. How serious is the offence that you are charged with? How serious is the injury or loss or damage suffered in the case? Are there any other special aggravating reasons? What kind of evidence is there against you? These questions will determine whether your case ends up in Court.
For almost all minor offences and traffic offences your case will be dealt with in the State Court. The State Court deals with cases where the maximum imprisonment term is 10 years and the maximum fine is $30,000. Cases involving caning of up to 12 strokes are also dealt with here.
Any case which involves the death penalty or a maximum imprisonment term of more than 10 years would be dealt with in the High Court.
In Singapore, a criminal offence is described as conduct that has been declared as such by law enacted by Parliament. The classification of criminal offences in Singapore is viewed as a three-stage process:
1.The physical element: Is the accused’s behaviour or conduct banned by law?
2.The fault element: What was the accused’s mental state at the point when the crime occurred?
3.The defences: Are there any defences that may be utilised to absolve the accused of criminal guilt, even if the factual and culpability aspects are existent?
It’s vital to remember that a suspect may only be held accountable for a crime
if he or she is determined to have committed both the factual and culpability aspects of the crime. The prosecutor would have to prove its allegations against a suspect ‘beyond all reasonable doubt,’ as required in criminal cases.
The Penal Code in Singapore has been amended several times over the years. Penalties for some crimes were raised in 1973, and the 1984 Penal Code (Amendment) Act, which came into force on August 31, 1984, provided strict penalties for certain crimes.
The Singapore Criminal Code sets out the basic principles of Singapore's criminal law and the components and penalties for common crimes such as criminal intimidation, mischief, exacerbation of assault, robbery, blackmail, sexual misconduct, and fraud. Other laws, such as the Weapons Crimes Act, the Abduction Act, the Substance Abuse Act, and the Vandalism Act, define and list all criminal issues applicable in Singapore.
The Criminal Law Temporary Provisions Act is Singapore's Criminal Code, which allows government agencies to order the detention of suspects without trial. First implemented in 1955 during the colonial era, it was intended for a one-off measure, but has been updated regularly since then. The government refused to make it permanent, stating that "the law should be formally updated by Congress every five years." The validity of the law was extended to February 2018 and now continues until October 2024.
An offence will be recorded as a criminal record if the perpetrator is:
Charged in Singapore of any properly registered offence.
Charged of any crime conducted inside Malaysia that is recognizable under Malaysian law;
Banishment, expulsion, or deportation from Singapore or Malaysia; or
Charged with any crime in, or exiled, deported, or ejected from, any location outside of Singapore and Malaysia, and the appropriate officials of that country provide such information to the Registrar.
The workings of a criminal lawyer include bail hearings, complaints, trials, revocation hearings (probation or probation), appeals and post-conviction appeals. As part of a lawyer's duties, the lawyer will:
Investigate the case and interview witnesses
Research and study Case Law, Criminal Law and Procedural Law
Build defenses and develop strategies
Negotiate with the prosecutor and sue for lower plea
Drafting, submitting, and arguing motions such as motions to dismiss and motion to suppress
Be the defendant's lawyer in court
Create, submit, and discuss an objection
Experience, analytical skills, patience, perseverance, research skills, strong knowledge and communication skills. These are some key attributes of an expert in criminal law defence in Singapore.