Do you know what are the arrestable and non-arrestable offences in Singapore and what should you do when you face such charges?
First, the police are able to determine that an arrestable offence was committed, or suspects that it was committed. Otherwise, they are not empowered to come after you.
Also Read: What Should You Do if you are Charged with Traffic Offence in Singapore
Second, you committed any of the following arrestable offence as defined in the Criminal Procedure Code or any existing legislation in Singapore :-
1.Abetment or inciting someone else to commit a crime, if the crime to be committed is an arrestable offence
2. Criminal conspiracy to commit an arrestable offence
3. Offences against the State, such as- abetting, conspiring or waging war against the State or its allies, Piracy and Genocide.
4. Offences against the armed forces such as mutiny, insubordination, and wearing of armed forces’ uniform without authority to do so, for the purpose of deceiving people that he/she is such.
5. Taking or abetment of public official to take gratification other than his/her remuneration, by corrupt or illegal means.
6. Contempt of lawful authority
7. Giving or fabricating lawful evidence in court, to make a person liable for a capital offence
8. Counterfeiting coins or importing/ exporting counterfeit coins
9. Making or printing documents to incite violence
10. Fouling public water supply
11. Dangerous driving
12. Attempting or acting in a way that will cause serious injury to a person and damage to property or death such as, dealing poison, overloading of a vessel, obstruction to public way, and dealing with explosive substances. Note that only those who voluntarily cause grievous hurt or those intending to hurt someone (although not grievously) with a dangerous weapon can be arrested.
13. Public nuisance
14. Selling of obscene books and other objects to minors
15. Disturbing, damaging or destroying a religious assembly
16. Racial discrimination
17. Attempting or committing murder, homicide and abetment to commit them
18. Acts committing miscarriage
19. Wrongful restraint and wrongful confinement
20. Criminal force and assault against a public servant or a minor
21. Kidnapping, abduction, forced labor and slavery
22. Rape
23. Commercial sex of a minor
24. Theft
25. Receiving stolen property
26. Extortion
27. Robbery and gang-robbery
28. Criminal misappropriation of property
30. Cheating a person whose interest you are legally bound to protect
31. Fraudulent deeds and dispositions of property
32. Forgery, and other offences relating to bank notes, electric records, currency notes and bank notes
So, these were some of the arrestable offences in Singapore. Now let us check out the non-arrestable offences in Singapore.
All other offences which do not fall to arrestable offenses are non-arrestable, or “requires a warrant before the police can take you in custody”.
You have the option to hire an attorney after being arrested. A qualified criminal defence attorney in Singapore can advise you about your case, help you arrange bail, (for bailable offence) and construct your defence.
Disclaimer: The article can not be considered as legal advice or opinion on the topic which has been discussed and one should not rely on it. In no way, it should be taken as the statement of law and practice in this area. If you need any legal advice you should 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.