A letter of representation is actually a letter towards the AGC that sets out reasons why they ought to possibly not cost you, fall fees towards you or search for a specific sentence within the courtroom.
In idea, it is possible to deliver as lots of letters of representation as you want, but typically an attorney would send amongst one–3, dependant upon the strategic factors which will use towards your situation. This kind of letter may be despatched at any stage of proceedings through the investigation stage on the sentencing stage.
A letter of representation differs from a mitigation plea. A letter of representation is resolved to the AGC and seeks their agreement pertaining to some aspect of your situation.
On the flip side, a mitigation plea is a authorized submission resolved to and submitted with a sentencing courtroom with the target of providing the courtroom While using the legal and factual bases with the sentence you are in search of, in conditions where you have currently been located responsible.
What Goes in a Letter of Representation?
Matter reference
A letter of illustration, if written by a lawyer, commonly opens with a reference to the person staying represented in the letter.
If costs have previously been introduced against that person, the letter could be captioned by reference to the situation selection.
Outcome getting sought
The letter of illustration will then commonly open up with a brief assertion that explains what end result to the case the letter will seek out.
The achievable outcomes That could be sought incorporate the fees staying dropped, stern or conditional warnings remaining administered or unique sentences being advised for the courtroom while in the celebration of the responsible plea. These letters are occasionally also marked “with no prejudiceâ€.
Good reasons for the result staying sought
The letter should really then established out the info applicable to the situation that aid the result remaining sought. Based on the strategic concerns inside your situation, the letter could make reference to:
Any evidence that supports the facts upon which you rely to guidance the result remaining sought. Copies of these proof may well even be connected on the letter, but the choice on no matter if to connect any evidence towards the letter is in the end a strategic one to be taken by an attorney, having into account many of the instances of your respective scenario; or
The existence of witnesses who'll corroborate Individuals information. These witnesses could even be identified in your letter.
Preferably, the letter of illustration need to make reference to comparable past cases which experienced resulted in results much like Individuals you might be looking for, and explain how Those people scenarios are analogous (i.e. factually related) in your case.
Your probable following measures
The letter of representation should then briefly established out your most likely following actions, depending on irrespective of whether Singapore Criminal Defence Lawyer AGC accedes in your request. These ways may be to claim trial, plead guilty or make some related submission to court for example.
Presents (if proper)
The letter can, if appropriate, also involve delivers, with or with out an admission of guilt, to carry out other items such as produce an apology and/or pay out restitution to a sufferer, or to commit to voluntary Local community programmes such as counselling or charitable function.
Reservation within your legal rights
The letter, if drafted by an attorney, must conclude with an acknowledgement that the lawyer has recommended you within the lawful repercussions of being untruthful while in the letter and a full reservation of your respective rights.
You might also wish to include an inexpensive deadline in which you anticipate to get a response, Despite the fact that there isn't any assurance the AGC could have any regard to this.
Ways to Ship the Letter of Illustration and to Whom
These letters are generally sent in PDF format via a generic on the internet variety taken care of because of the AGC for this objective.
If the case is at a sophisticated phase of proceedings nevertheless, your attorney may also ship it to a selected prosecutor(s) (or send it to only this sort of precise prosecutor(s)).
What are the Attainable Results Upon Sending a Letter of Representation?
If your AGC decides to accede for your ask for, They could create back again to tell you of the and list any problems for his or her arrangement.
In some cases, they may mail a counter-provide whereby they provide to propose a specific sentence for the court docket, or fall one or more expenses, when you conform to plead guilty to some or all of the costs, and/or conform to some other request including spending restitution to the target.
If your AGC is struggling to accede for your request, chances are you'll get a extremely limited template reaction from the AGC stating that, getting meticulously viewed as your representations, They are really struggling to accede for your request.
At times, no reaction is distributed, as well as prosecutor will simply just mention verbally towards the courtroom that AGC acquired representations Which they won't accede to your ask for(s) therein.
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It ought to be apparent from the above that the drafting of a letter of representation isn't an easy issue of sending a brief letter asking for leniency or declaring you will be sorry.
There are plenty of requests to consider and a variety of permutations of all Individuals requests, a number of which may or may not be obtainable or proper for you with regards to the info of your respective scenario and also your individual profile.
Just a felony attorney is able to meaningfully suggest you on how to greatest advance your passions within a legal investigation or prosecution.
Consequently, In case you are currently being investigated for against the law in Singapore, it is best to generally search for authorized tips from a criminal law firm within the earliest probable prospect.