Top Criminal Lawyers in Singapore

Role of a criminal lawyer

Criminal lawyers, also known as criminal defence lawyers, represent and defend individuals or organisations facing criminal charges. The criminal charges can include a wide range of offences such as traffic offences, violent crimes, drug charges, embezzlement and more. 

Criminal lawyers can be appointed to represent a client at any stage of the legal process from the initial investigation phase through to the appeal stages. They may be responsible for collecting information about the offence, conducting research and providing legal advice regarding the case. They are also responsible for helping you to develop a strong defence approach and case strategy to secure the best possible outcome for your case.

Top criminal lawyers in Singapore

Here are some of the top criminal lawyers in Singapore offering their deep expertise and broad experience in criminal law:

Why you should hire a criminal lawyer when faced with a criminal charge

When facing a criminal charge, you may be faced with complicated paperwork, foreign legal terms and lengthy follow ups. This can be very overwhelming and may add more stress on top of your existing worries about the case. While it is possible to conduct your own case and represent yourself, there are often various disadvantages of doing so. 

Hiring a lawyer is often not a cheap option. However, they can potentially help to lower your chances of incurring larger losses or avoid facing jail time from losing your case. Here are some reasons why you should hire a criminal lawyer to represent you:

Manage the paperwork properly

There are often multiple legal documents and deadlines involved when you are preparing for court. Criminal lawyers are familiar with the legal proceedings and court procedures. They will be able to offer support and gather the right materials more efficiently. This allows you to focus more time and resources on other more important matters for your case.

Offer expert legal advice

Understanding the law and legal system can be a challenging process. Criminal lawyers are trained professionals and have in-depth understanding of the law. They can provide you with timely legal advice and guidance on the charges and legal processes. They are also responsible for ensuring that your rights are protected at all times from the prosecution and law enforcement. 

Present evidence correctly

Evidence can play a crucial role in providing a strong support for your case. Your lawyer will have the skills to gather relevant evidence while adhering to the strict guidelines and deadlines. They are also able to identify the finer details and have the know how to sieve out evidence that may have been collected illegally to tamper with your case. An experienced criminal lawyer will be able to present the evidence and work it in your favour to achieve the best outcome.  

Help develop stronger defence tactics

With their years of experience and extensive knowledge about the law, criminal lawyers can help to build a strong case right from the start. This enables them to plan a smart defence strategy and present a convincing argument to the judge. 

At times, they may also act as a mediator on your behalf and approach the other party outside of the legal system. This may increase your chances of achieving a favourable outcome and hopefully have the criminal charges against you dropped.

What to look out for when hiring a criminal lawyer

Having to deal with a criminal charge and court case can be very taxing. There are many important factors to consider when hiring a criminal lawyer to fight your case. These are some things to consider:

Area of specialisation

Different criminal lawyers may have specific areas of specialisation. This can range from white collar crimes to violent crimes and drug offences. Having substantial practice experience in court can be helpful. But it can be a major advantage to hire a criminal lawyer with the relevant experience handling similar cases to what you have been charged with.

Reputation of lawyer

Some criminal lawyers  have experience handling difficult and high-profile cases. You can discover more about a lawyer’s reputation and credentials by researching for publications and past client reviews and testimonials. You can also check out the websites of law firms as they often list down the significant cases they have represented for and their success rates.

Communication skills

There will be many discussions between you and your lawyer so that you are both up to date and kept on the same page throughout the legal process. A good criminal lawyer should be well equipped with the skills to understand the legal jargon. They should be able to actively listen and ask necessary questions. At the same time, they should also possess the ability to explain the legal terms and offer honest advice clearly for your understanding. 

Comfort level

Facing criminal charges can be an emotionally draining and foreign experience for many. It can be challenging if you are not able to be open and honest with your lawyer. This may negatively impact your case outcome. Many law firms offer free consultation services for the first session. This is a good platform for you to check if the lawyer is reliable and if you are able to speak comfortably with each other.

Responsiveness of lawyer

Many law firms have fixed working hours, however, there are often emergency hotlines available. This is helpful when you need urgent help outside of working hours. Working with a lawyer who is responsive and easily contactable shows that they respect your needs. The initial outreach can be a good indication of their promptness. If you have to wait for a long period of time to receive a response, you may want to reconsider working with that lawyer or law firm.

Cost of service

The cost of hiring a criminal lawyer can vary depending on various factors including the nature of the charges, length of case and lawyer’s level of experience. Ensure that the lawyer provides a clear and transparent fee structure. The fee breakdown should include the itemised list of services they plan to offer you as well as the payment plans.

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