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. The members include representatives from the Judiciary, Attorney-General’s Chambers, Ministry of Law, Ministry of Home Affairs, Singapore Police Force and Defence Bar.

To date, the Panel has published two sets of guidelines:

• The Guidelines on Reduction in Sentences for Guilty Pleas (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. 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 Guidelines for Scams-Related Offences are intended to send a strong deterrent signal by recommending, among other things, that substantial imprisonment sentences should be the norm for scams-related offences involving the handing over of bank accounts or the disclosure of Singpass credentials. It also recommends that the sentences for such offences should be further enhanced if there are aggravating factors, such as if a vulnerable victim was involved.

For more information on sentencing, please refer to:

• Sentencing Advisory Panel Website

• Information Note on General Sentencing Principles

• Information Note on Sentencing for Multiple Offences

• Written Answer to Parliamentary Question on the PG Guidelines by Mr K Shanmugam, Minister for Law on 19 September 2023