Sentencing in Singapore
Sentencing is an important element of the criminal justice process. The Courts are assisted by the Prosecution and the Defence in arriving at a just and fair punishment after the offender has pleaded guilty to a charge or has been found guilty by the Courts at the end of a trial.
In deciding on the appropriate sentence for an offence, the Courts pay close attention to the facts and circumstances of each case, consider the sentencing range and options provided for in the law, and apply general sentencing principles.
In June 2022, a Sentencing Advisory Panel (“the Panel”) was established to formulate guidelines on matters relating to sentencing. The aims of the guidelines are to promote greater consistency and transparency in sentencing, and to increase public awareness. The Panel is chaired by a Supreme Court Judge, and comprises members with a wide range of experience and expertise – they include representatives from the Judiciary, the Attorney-General’s Chambers, the Ministry of Law, the Ministry of Home Affairs, the Singapore Police Force and the Defence Bar.
To date, the Panel has published two Information Notes and one set of guidelines (viz, the Guidelines on Reduction in Sentences for Guilty Pleas or “the PG Guidelines”). The PG Guidelines took effect on 1 October 2023.
The PG Guidelines are intended to encourage accused persons who wish to plead guilty to do so as early in the court process as possible. Before the introduction of the PG Guidelines, it was common for accused persons to receive reductions in their sentences if they pleaded guilty. The PG Guidelines provide a structure for the amount of reduction an accused person can generally expect to receive, by setting out clearly the ranges that the Courts may consider granting, depending on the stage in proceedings when the accused person pleads guilty. The PG Guidelines should not lead to a fall in sentences across the board, but should lead to more consistent sentencing reductions.