Criminal Law Specialist
Serious charges demand serious defenders. Meet Gino Hardial Singh, a veteran criminal lawyer recognised for his aggressive trial positioning with an eye for evidential weaknesses. With a background in criminal litigation spanning more than two decades, Gino is regarded as a serious trial lawyer by his peers and known for his unwavering commitment and reassuring presence among his clients.
Criminal law in Singapore: An Overview
In Singapore, criminal law runs the gamut from violent Penal Code offences to traffic violations governed by the Road Traffic Act. When an accused person is charged with a crime, a judge will be appointed to hear the arguments of both the prosecutor and the criminal defence lawyer to determine how best to uphold the law according to the principles and rules that govern society.
Many criminal law firms also deal with family and civil law matters. While the purpose of criminal law is to protect the public, civil law safeguards the rights of both individuals and legal entities. Meanwhile, the scope of family law is restricted to the family nucleus and governs issues such as divorce, custody of children and family violence.
Criminal v Civil v Family Law
A criminal trial lawyer first and foremost, Gino typically does not deal with civil or family law cases. Refer to the chart below on differences between the three practice areas.
Criminal law cases
- Unlawful assemblies or rioting
- Rape
- Theft and robbery
- Criminal trespass
- Voluntarily causing hurt with a dangerous weapon
Family law cases
- Division of Matrimonial Assets
- Family Violence/Personal Protection Orders
- Contested Divorce
- Guardianship and Wardship
- Spousal and Child Maintenance
Civil law cases
- Property and tenancy disagreements
- Employment disputes
- Breach of contract
- Disputes involving harassment
- Debt recovery
The charges Gino has been appointed to defend
A seasoned criminal law specialist, Gino’s vast experience in criminal litigation and easy rapport with people from all walks of life has led to him defending clients against some of the most serious criminal charges imaginable. Below is a non-exhaustive list of offences he has been appointed to defend his clients against.
Penal Code 1871 offences
- Criminal breach of trust of property entrusted for purposes of transportation or storage [Section 407]
- Cheating and dishonestly inducing a delivery of property [Section 420]
- Rape [Section 375]
- Sexual penetration of minor below 16 years of age [Section 376(1)(a)]
- Word or gesture intended to insult modesty of any person [Section 377BA]
- Voyeurism [Section 377BB]
- Assault or use of criminal force to a person with intent to outrage modesty [Section 354]
- Criminal intimidation [Section 503]
- Wrongful confinement [Section 340]
- Extortion [Section 383]
- Enhanced penalties for offences against domestic workers [Section 73]
- Outraging modesty in certain circumstances against any person below 14 years of age [Section 354(2)]
- Criminal trespass [Section 441]
- Punishment for theft [Section 379]
- Enhanced penalties for offences against victims in close relationships [Section 74D]
- Punishment for using criminal force otherwise than on grave and sudden provocation [Section 352]
- Theft in dwelling house, etc. [Section 380]
- Obstructing, preventing, perverting or defeating course of justice [Section 204A]
Road Traffic Act 1961
- Driving while under influence of drink [Section 67(1)(b)]
- Driving without due care and attention or reasonable consideration [Section 65(1)(a)]
- Taking of motor vehicle without owner’s consent [Section 96(1)]
- Licensing of drivers, etc. [Section 35(1)]
Computer Misuse Act 1993
- Unauthorised access to computer material [Section 3(1)(a)]
- Abetments and attempts punishable as offences [Section 12]
- Unauthorised disclosure of access code [Section 8(1)(a)]
Protection from Harassment Act 2014
- Protection order [Section 12(1)]
- Intentionally causing harassment, alarm, distress or humiliation [Section 3(1)(a)]
- Unlawful stalking
Singapore Armed Forces Act 1972
- Disobedience of general orders [Section 21]
- Cruel, indecent or disgraceful conduct [Section 26]
- Falsification of documents [Section 50(a)]
Misuse of Drugs Act 1973 offences
- Trafficking in controlled drugs [Section 5(1)(a)]
- Import and export of controlled drugs [Section 7]
Corruption, Drug Trafficking and Other Serious Crimes (Confiscation of Benefits) Act 1992
- Register of original documents [Section 44]
- Assisting another to retain benefits from criminal conduct [Section 51(1)(a)]
Customs Act 1960
- Offences in relation to fraudulent evasion [Section 128D]
- Penalty for various offences [Section 128L(2)]
Miscellaneous Offences (Public Order and Nuisance) Act 1906
- Communicating false message [Section 14D(1)]
- Rogues and vagabonds [Section 27(1)]
Insolvency, Restructuring and Dissolution Act 2018 offences
- Disabilities of bankrupt [Section 401(B)]
Organised Crime Act 2015
- Locally-linked organised criminal group membership [Section 5(1)]
Prevention of Corruption Act 1960
- Punishment for corruption [Section 5(b)(i)]
Films Act 1981
- Possession of obscene films [Section 30(1)]
Official Secrets Act 1935
- Wrongful communication, etc., of information [Section 5(1)(e)]
Societies Act 1966
- Unlawful societies [Section 14(3)]
Don’t wait to get charged before you engage a lawyer
Secure access to legal advice before giving your police statement or soon after if possible.
Yes, the Criminal Procedure Code allows for the police to arrest those suspected of committing arrestable offences without a warrant.
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