A letter of representation is really a letter into the AGC that sets out main reasons why they must either not cost you, drop charges from you or request a selected sentence in the courtroom.
In idea, you are able to ship as quite a few letters of illustration as you prefer, but normally an attorney would send out amongst 1–three, according to the strategic things to consider that may utilize towards your case. This type of letter is usually despatched at any stage of proceedings with the investigation stage towards the sentencing phase.
A letter of illustration differs from a mitigation plea. A letter of illustration is dealt with into the AGC and seeks their agreement relating to some aspect of your case.
However, a mitigation plea is really a lawful submission resolved to and submitted with a sentencing court with the target of giving the courtroom Using the lawful and factual bases to the sentence you are trying to find, in circumstances where you have by now been located responsible.
What Goes inside a Letter of Representation?
Issue reference
A letter of representation, if penned by an attorney, typically opens having a reference to the person becoming represented within the letter.
If expenses have already been introduced in opposition to that person, the letter may be captioned by reference to the situation number.
Result becoming sought
The letter of illustration will then typically open up with a short assertion that describes what consequence to the case the letter will look for.
The attainable results Which may be sought include the costs currently being dropped, stern or conditional warnings being administered or distinct sentences currently being proposed to your courtroom while in the party of a responsible plea. These letters are occasionally also marked “without having prejudiceâ€.
Causes for the outcome staying sought
The letter should then set out the facts pertinent to the case that guidance the end result staying sought. Depending on the strategic issues in the scenario, the letter may possibly consult with:
Any evidence that supports the facts upon which you rely to aid the end result remaining sought. Copies of such proof could even be attached to the letter, but the decision on no matter whether to connect any proof for the letter is in the end a strategic a single for being taken by a lawyer, having into consideration all of the circumstances within your scenario; or
The existence of witnesses who'll corroborate People specifics. These witnesses may well even be discovered in your letter.
Preferably, the letter of illustration should make reference to similar past instances which had resulted in outcomes similar to All those you happen to be searching for, and explain how Those people conditions are analogous (i.e. factually Criminal Defence Lawyer Singapore similar) towards your scenario.
Your probably up coming actions
The letter of representation ought to then briefly set out your likely next ways, based upon no matter if AGC accedes on your request. These steps can be to say trial, plead guilty or make some applicable submission to courtroom for instance.
Features (if acceptable)
The letter can, if proper, also contain offers, with or without the need of an admission of guilt, to accomplish other issues which include compose an apology and/or spend restitution to a sufferer, or to commit to voluntary Local community programmes for example counselling or charitable work.
Reservation within your rights
The letter, if drafted by an attorney, ought to conclude by having an acknowledgement that your attorney has advised you about the legal consequences of currently being untruthful during the letter and a complete reservation of your respective legal rights.
You may additionally would like to incorporate an inexpensive deadline within just which you be expecting to get a reaction, While there is not any warranty the AGC should have any regard to this.
Ways to Mail the Letter of Illustration also to Whom
These letters are usually despatched in PDF format by way of a generic on the internet type maintained by the AGC for this purpose.
If your circumstance is at a complicated phase of proceedings on the other hand, your attorney may additionally ship it to a particular prosecutor(s) (or send out it to only these types of unique prosecutor(s)).
Exactly what are the Doable Results Upon Sending a Letter of Representation?
If the AGC decides to accede to your ask for, They could publish back again to inform you of this and record any disorders for his or her arrangement.
At times, they may send a counter-offer whereby they offer to endorse a certain sentence on the courtroom, or drop a number of prices, in case you comply with plead guilty to some or all of the fees, and/or conform to Several other request like paying restitution into the target.
In the event the AGC is unable to accede to your ask for, you could possibly receive a very shorter template reaction through the AGC stating that, getting carefully thought of your representations, These are not able to accede for your ask for.
Often, no response is sent, plus the prosecutor will basically mention verbally to the court docket that AGC acquired representations and that they won't accede on the request(s) therein.
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It ought to be crystal clear from the above that the drafting of the letter of representation is not a straightforward issue of sending a short letter requesting leniency or declaring you're sorry.
There are lots of requests to look at and numerous permutations of all Individuals requests, some of which might or might not be obtainable or acceptable for you with regards to the information of your respective scenario and your own profile.
Only a prison law firm is able to meaningfully suggest you on how to very best advance your interests inside a criminal investigation or prosecution.
Hence, For anyone who is staying investigated for a criminal offense in Singapore, you'll want to constantly look for lawful tips from a criminal law firm for the earliest attainable possibility.