A letter of representation is often a letter on the AGC that sets out explanations why they must both not charge you, fall prices versus you or find a particular sentence with the courtroom.
In theory, you may deliver as lots of letters of illustration as you like, but commonly a lawyer would mail among one–3, with regards to the strategic concerns which will use to your scenario. Such a letter might be sent at any phase of proceedings in the investigation phase towards the sentencing phase.
A letter of representation differs from a mitigation plea. A letter of illustration is addressed to your AGC and seeks their agreement about some element of your case.
Conversely, a mitigation plea is actually a lawful submission tackled to and submitted using a sentencing court docket with the objective of furnishing the court While using the legal and factual bases with the sentence you're trying to get, in circumstances in which you have previously been found guilty.
What Goes inside of a Letter of Representation?
Subject matter reference
A letter of representation, if prepared by a lawyer, generally opens which has a reference to the person remaining represented within the letter.
If prices have currently been introduced against that particular person, the letter may very well be captioned by reference to the case range.
Outcome currently being sought
The letter of illustration will then generally open up with a brief statement that explains what end result to the situation the letter will look for.
The attainable results That could be sought include things like the charges getting dropped, stern or conditional warnings remaining administered or particular sentences currently being proposed for the court docket in the occasion of the responsible plea. These letters are sometimes also marked “with no prejudiceâ€.
Factors for the end result remaining sought
The letter ought to then set out the info relevant to the case that guidance the outcome getting sought. Dependant upon the strategic considerations within your scenario, the letter may perhaps make reference to:
Any proof that supports the info upon 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 whether to connect any proof towards the letter is eventually a strategic just one to be taken by a lawyer, using into account many of the circumstances of one's scenario; or
The existence of witnesses who'll corroborate Those people facts. These witnesses could even be determined as part of your letter.
Preferably, the letter of representation ought to make reference to equivalent previous conditions which had resulted in outcomes much like People that you are seeking, and clarify how Individuals situations are analogous (i.e. factually very similar) towards your case.
Your most likely up coming methods
The letter of illustration really should then briefly established out your possible next actions, according to no matter whether AGC accedes on your request. These methods can be to assert trial, plead guilty or make some pertinent submission to court such as.
Features (if correct)
The letter can, if ideal, also contain gives, with or with no an admission of guilt, to accomplish other items including create an apology and/or pay restitution to some sufferer, or to commit to voluntary Local community programmes for example counselling or charitable perform.
Reservation of one's rights
The letter, if drafted by an attorney, ought to conclude having an acknowledgement that the lawyer has advised you on the legal consequences of becoming untruthful while in the letter and a complete reservation of your respective legal rights.
You might also desire to incorporate an affordable deadline inside of which you count on to receive a response, Though there is not any assurance the AGC can have any regard to this.
The way to Ship the Letter of Representation and also to Whom
These letters are typically sent in PDF format via a generic online variety managed because of the AGC for this reason.
If the scenario is at a sophisticated stage of proceedings nonetheless, your lawyer may also send it to a selected prosecutor(s) (or mail it to only these distinct prosecutor(s)).
What exactly are the Achievable Outcomes Upon Sending a Letter of Illustration?
If your AGC decides to accede on your ask for, They might create back again to inform you of this and record any ailments for his or her arrangement.
Occasionally, they may mail a counter-present whereby they provide to advocate a particular sentence towards the court docket, or fall a number of expenses, in the event you agree to plead responsible to some or all of the costs, and/or comply with Another ask for for instance spending restitution for the victim.
If the AGC is struggling to accede to the request, you might get a incredibly quick template response from the AGC stating that, acquiring meticulously deemed your representations, They can be struggling to accede towards your ask for.
At times, no response is shipped, along with the prosecutor will just mention verbally into the courtroom Singapore criminal lawyer that AGC obtained representations Which they won't accede for the request(s) therein.
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It ought to be very clear from the above which the drafting of a letter of representation is not a simple matter of sending a brief letter requesting leniency or stating you are sorry.
There are plenty of requests to take into account and many various permutations of all those requests, several of which may or may not be available or ideal for you depending on the info of one's circumstance and also your personal profile.
Just a prison attorney is in a position to meaningfully advise you on how to most effective advance your interests in a very legal investigation or prosecution.
As a result, Should you be becoming investigated for against the law in Singapore, you ought to always search for legal information from a prison attorney at the earliest doable chance.