Facing Investigation or Charged with a Violent Crime?
Being investigated or charged with a violent crime can have life-changing consequences. Depending on the offence, a conviction may result in imprisonment, caning, fines or even life imprisonment. However, the consequences often extend well beyond the sentence imposed by the Court.
A criminal conviction may leave you with a criminal record, affect your current employment and future career opportunities, professional licences and your ability to relocate overseas. If you are an Employment Pass holder, S Pass holder, Dependant’s Pass holder, Permanent Resident or other foreign national, criminal proceedings may also affect your immigration status, including your ability to continue living and working in Singapore.
If you have been contacted by the police, asked to attend an interview, arrested or charged in Court, obtaining legal advice at the earliest opportunity is often critical. The decisions made during the investigation stage can significantly influence how your case progresses. Early legal representation allows your lawyer to protect your rights, assess the evidence, advise you on the allegations and develop an appropriate defence strategy from the outset.
At Gloria James-Civetta & Co., our criminal defence team regularly represents both Singaporeans and expatriates facing investigations and prosecutions for violent offences. The team is led by Ms Gloria James-Civetta, who has over 30 years of criminal litigation experience, Mr Kevin Liew, Head of Crime Practice and a former Public Prosecutor, and Ms Noelle Teoh, who advises and represents clients across a broad range of criminal matters.
Together, they provide practical, sensible and strategic legal advice from the earliest stages of a police investigation through to trial, sentencing and appeals where required.
Violent Crime Offences that We Handle
Our criminal defence lawyers advise and represent clients investigated for, arrested for or charged with a wide range of violent offences in Singapore, including:
Murder
Murder is among the most serious criminal offences in Singapore and involves causing the death of another person under circumstances defined by the Penal Code.
Depending on the facts, a conviction may carry life imprisonment or the death penalty.
Attempt to Murder
A person may face charges even where death does not occur.
Attempted murder involves acts carried out with the intention of causing death and carries severe penalties upon conviction.
Culpable Homicide
Not every unlawful killing amounts to murder.
In some situations, the offence may instead amount to culpable homicide, depending on the intention, knowledge and surrounding circumstances.
Attempt to Commit Culpable Homicide
This offence may arise where a person’s actions could have caused death but do not meet the legal requirements for attempted murder.
The distinction can significantly affect the charges and potential sentence.
Voluntarily Causing Hurt
One of the more commonly prosecuted violent offences involves intentionally causing physical injury to another person.
The penalties depend on factors such as the nature of the injuries, the circumstances of the assault and whether any aggravating or mitigating factors are present.
Criminal Force and Assault
Not every assault results in physical injury.
Singapore law distinguishes between criminal force, assault and related offences involving threats or unlawful physical contact.
Criminal Intimidation
Threatening another person with the intention of causing alarm or compelling them to act against their will may amount to criminal intimidation.
The seriousness of the threat and surrounding circumstances will influence the penalties.
Maid Abuse
Offences involving domestic helpers are treated particularly seriously by the courts.
Where the victim is a domestic worker, enhanced penalties may apply upon conviction.
Wrongful Restraint and Wrongful Confinement
Preventing another person from moving freely, or unlawfully confining them against their will, may amount to a criminal offence.
These offences commonly arise in disputes involving couples in relationships or domestic helpers.
Police Investigations for Violent Crimes
If you are under investigation, the police may:
- request you to attend an interview;
- arrest you;
- seize electronic devices or other evidence;
- obtain witness statements; or
- require you to attend court.
Early legal advice may assist you in understanding the investigation process and protecting your legal rights.
Why Clients Choose GJC Law for Violent Crime Defence
If you are under police investigation, the decisions made in the early stages of your case can have a significant impact on the outcome. At Gloria James-Civetta & Co., we believe that effective criminal defence begins well before a person is charged in Court.
Depending on the circumstances of your case, our criminal defence team may:
- Advise you before attending police interviews and explain your legal rights and obligations.
- Review the available evidence and assess the strength of the allegations against you.
- Identify potential legal defences and issues relating to self-defence, intention, identification, witness evidence or the classification of the alleged offence.
- Prepare and submit representations to the prosecution, where appropriate, seeking a review of the evidence, the charges or other aspects of the case.
- Engage with the investigating authorities on your behalf where appropriate during the course of the investigation.
- Advise you on the likely court process, possible sentencing outcomes and the legal options available to you.
- Represent you throughout the criminal proceedings, including bail applications, mitigation, trials and appeals where necessary.
Frequently Asked Questions on Violent Crimes in Singapore
Violent crimes generally involve the use, attempted use or threatened use of unlawful force against another person. Examples include murder, assault, voluntarily causing hurt and criminal intimidation.
Remain calm and seek legal advice as early as possible before making important decisions about your case.
Not necessarily. The outcome depends on the specific offence, the available evidence, the circumstances of the case and the applicable sentencing framework.
Yes. Some violent offences do not require serious physical injury for criminal liability to arise.
Speak to a Criminal Defence Lawyer
If you are under police investigation or have been charged with a violent offence, obtaining legal advice early can make an important difference.
At Gloria James-Civetta & Co, our criminal defence team advises and represents clients facing investigations and court proceedings involving violent crimes across Singapore. We can explain the allegations, advise you on the legal process and discuss the options available based on your individual circumstances.
