A letter of representation is actually a letter towards the AGC that sets out reasons why they need to both not cost you, drop fees from you or search for a certain sentence with the court docket.
In idea, you could ship as many letters of illustration as you want, but normally a lawyer would ship in between one–3, depending on the strategic things to consider that could utilize in your scenario. This kind of letter can be sent at any stage of proceedings from your investigation phase on the sentencing stage.
A letter of illustration is different from the mitigation plea. A letter of illustration is resolved to the AGC and seeks their arrangement regarding some facet of your case.
On the flip side, a mitigation plea is usually a authorized submission dealt with to and filed which has a sentencing courtroom with the target of offering the court docket Using the lawful and factual bases for your sentence you will be searching for, in conditions where you have by now been discovered responsible.
What Goes inside a Letter of Illustration?
Subject reference
A letter of representation, if penned by a lawyer, typically opens having a reference to the person remaining represented within the letter.
If prices have by now been brought versus that particular person, the letter might be captioned by reference to the situation variety.
Outcome being sought
The letter of representation will then typically open with a short assertion that describes what result to the case the letter will find.
The probable outcomes Which may be sought include the costs staying dropped, stern or conditional warnings becoming administered or distinct sentences remaining suggested to your court inside the celebration of the responsible plea. These letters are occasionally also marked “without having prejudiceâ€.
Causes for the outcome being sought
The letter should then established out the points suitable to the case that help the result remaining sought. According to the strategic things to consider in your situation, the letter may well check with:
Any evidence that supports the specifics on which you rely to assist the result being sought. Copies of this sort of proof may perhaps even be attached for the letter, but the choice on irrespective of whether to attach any evidence on the letter is finally a strategic one for being taken by an attorney, having into account all of the conditions of your respective circumstance; or
The existence of witnesses who will corroborate These information. These witnesses may well even be discovered in your letter.
Preferably, the letter of representation must make reference to comparable past conditions which experienced resulted in results comparable to those you're in search of, and reveal Singapore criminal lawyer how Those people cases are analogous (i.e. factually identical) in your case.
Your probable up coming actions
The letter of representation need to then briefly established out your possible next steps, based on no matter whether AGC accedes to the ask for. These steps might be to claim trial, plead guilty or make some pertinent submission to courtroom one example is.
Presents (if correct)
The letter can, if appropriate, also include provides, with or with out an admission of guilt, to accomplish other items for example publish an apology and/or spend restitution to the victim, or to decide to voluntary community programmes which include counselling or charitable operate.
Reservation of one's legal rights
The letter, if drafted by an attorney, must conclude with an acknowledgement that your lawyer has advised you on the legal consequences of being untruthful in the letter and a full reservation of your rights.
You may additionally would like to incorporate an inexpensive deadline in just which you expect to get a reaction, Whilst there is not any warranty the AGC should have any regard to this.
Tips on how to Send out the Letter of Illustration and also to Whom
These letters are usually sent in PDF format by way of a generic on-line form maintained via the AGC for this intent.
In the event your circumstance is at a sophisticated phase of proceedings nonetheless, your attorney might also send it to a specific prosecutor(s) (or mail it to only these types of precise prosecutor(s)).
What exactly are the Attainable Outcomes Upon Sending a Letter of Representation?
Should the AGC decides to accede towards your ask for, They might compose back to inform you of the and listing any problems for their agreement.
Sometimes, They could send out a counter-present whereby they offer to advocate a selected sentence towards the courtroom, or fall a number of costs, in case you comply with plead responsible to some or all of the charges, and/or agree to Various other ask for for instance shelling out restitution to the victim.
When the AGC is not able to accede for your request, chances are you'll get a incredibly limited template response from the AGC stating that, owning thoroughly deemed your representations, They're struggling to accede on your request.
Occasionally, no reaction is distributed, as well as the prosecutor will merely point out verbally on the courtroom that AGC received representations and that they won't accede to the request(s) therein.
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It should be distinct from the above that the drafting of a letter of representation isn't an easy issue of sending a short letter asking for leniency or stating you might be sorry.
There are various requests to take into consideration and many alternative permutations of all Those people requests, many of which might or might not be available or correct to you personally depending on the facts of your case and your own profile.
Only a criminal law firm is ready to meaningfully recommend you regarding how to ideal progress your passions inside a criminal investigation or prosecution.
Therefore, If you're becoming investigated for a crime in Singapore, you need to usually seek lawful assistance from the legal lawyer in the earliest possible option.