NCJ Number
60219
Date Published
1979
Length
22 pages
Annotation
THE HISTORY OF SINGAPORE AS A COLONY, ITS PARTICULAR SOCIAL AND CULTURAL NEEDS, AND EXISTING LAW ARE PRESENTED AS BACKGROUND TO ITS INNOVATIONS IN CRIMINAL JUSTICE AND ADMINISTRATION OF THE LAW.
Abstract
CHANGES OR ADDITIONS TO EXISTING LAW IN SINGAPORE INCLUDE THE ABOLISHMENT IN 1969 OR TRIAL BY JURY IN FAVOR OF TRIAL BY A COURT CONSISTING OF TWO JUDGES OF THE HIGH COURT WHO MUST REACH A UNANIMOUS DECISION REGARDING THE ACCUSED. THE GREATEST CURRENT THREAT TO LAW AND ORDER IS THE INDIGENOUS PROBLEM OF SECRET (TRIAD) SOCIETIES. TO DEAL WITH THEIR MEMBERS, POLICE ARE GIVEN POWER TO DETAIN SUSPECTS, AND PROTECTION IS OFFERED TO THOSE WHO BRING EVIDENCE AGAINST THE ACCUSED. FOR MANY OFFENDERS, MANY OF WHOM BELONG TO THESE SECRET SOCIETIES, CORPORAL PUNISHMENT WITH THE RATTAN CANE IS ALLOWED AND IS SEEN AS A MAJOR DETERRENT TO CRIME. OTHER OFFENSES MOST VEXING TO SINGAPORE INCLUDE AREMS AND DRUG OFFENSES; NAROCOTICS OFFENSES ARE DEEMED DOUBLY LIABLE UNDER 'CORRESPONDING LAW,' WHICH BRINGS INTO EFFECT LAWS FROM OTHER COUNTRIES THAT ARE IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE SINGLE CONVENTION ON NARCOTICS DRUGS SIGNED IN NEW YORK IN 1961. SIGNIFICANT CHANGES IN RULES OF HEARSAY, EVIDENCE, AND THE ACCUSED'S RIGHT TO SILENCE TAKE INTO ACCOUNT COMMON LAW. OTHER IMPORTANT ASPECTS OF SINGAPORE'S CURRENT LAW ENFORCEMENT PRACTICES INCLUDE A LOW RECIDIVISM RATE THAT HAS BEEN BROUGHT ABOUT BY MODERN PRISON PROGRAMS, COUNSELING AND REHABILITATION PROGRAMS, HIGH CRIME DETECTION RATES, AND ENHANCED TERMS OF IMPRISONMENT. IN ADDITION, THE PRISONS DEPARTMENT WORKS TO DEVELOP SELF-DISCIPLINE, WHILE MAKING PRISON A LESS DESIRABLE PLACE TO BE. STRINGENT LAWS RESTRICT PORNOGRAPHY, WHILE CERTAIN ASPECTS OF PROSTITUTION AND GAMBLING ARE LEGALIZED BECAUSE OF THEIR TRADITIONAL PLACE IN THE SOCIETY. NO REFERENCES ARE PROVIDED; HOWEVER, LEGAL TEXTS ARE INCLUDED. (RFC)