Understand Affray Charges in Singapore - Laws, Penalties and Your Options

Affray is one of the most common charges put on individuals or a group of individuals in Singapore, along with voluntarily causing hurt and rioting. And since these charges are so frequently in discussions in Singapore, it is important to know what they are and how they can have an impact on one.

So, understanding the offence, its elements, the laws governing it, the penalties and how can a criminal lawyer in Singapore help when one is charged with the offence is important.

What is affray in Singapore?

Affray, in simple terms, is violence between two individuals or an individual and a group of individuals or two groups in a public place. So, any disorderly behaviour that can create fear or distress in public and involves a minimum of two individuals in public comes under the definition of affray in Singapore.

Let's look at the elements necessary for a crime to be defined as affray in Singapore.

Elements of affray charges in Singapore:

Like all the other offences, for an act to be charged under the sections governing the offence of affray in Singapore, one has to look at certain elements. We look at the elements necessary to be proven for an offence to be considered affray:

• Violence: An offence is affray only when there is the presence of violence or a threat of violence that can cause distress.
• Disorderly behaviour: The act in question must cause uneasiness to the public and alarm them.
• Public: A violent offence needs to be committed in front of the public for it to be an affray.

Laws governing affray in Singapore and the penalties:

The laws that define the offence of affray and speak on its penalties are section 267A and section 267B of the Singaporean Penal Code. Section 267A gives us the definition of affray in Singapore, and section 267B details the penalties.

Penalties for the offence of affray can vary based on the circumstances of the case, the severity of the affray, and the court's discretion. However, the typical penalties are:

• Imprisonment: The maximum punishment for affray in Singapore is up to one year's imprisonment. This jail term is to discourage people from engaging in any form of violence in public.
• Fine: The court may also impose a fine in cases of affray. The amount of the fine depends on the specifics of the case and is at the discretion of the court. It can extend up to $5000.

What to do when charged with affray in Singapore?

Whenever facing affray charges in Singapore, or any charges for that matter, it is important to understand your legal rights and options. It is advisable to consult with an expert criminal lawyer in Singapore when facing affray charges in Singapore. The criminal defence lawyer in Singapore will explain and guide you throughout the legal process, thus, helping build a strong defence.

An experienced criminal defence attorney can help assess the specific circumstances of the case and formulate an appropriate strategy. When facing affray charges in Singapore, criminal defence lawyers from Bishop Law are your best allies.Call us today to get your case evaluated by our expert criminal solicitor.

Disclaimer: The article is not a piece of legal advice or opinion on the topic discussed, and one should not rely on it. No one should see it as a statement of the law and practice in this area. If you need any legal advice, consult a lawyer in your jurisdiction. None of the members, partner or consultant who is a part of Bishop Law assumes or holds any responsibility or liability to any person in respect of the content shared above.