Official website links end with .gov.sg
A Singapore Government Agency Website
Secure websites use HTTPS
Represent yourself in a plead guilty mention
What happens after pleading guilty
Pleading guilty means that you admit fully and unconditionally to the offences committed. You are required to attend a plead guilty (PG) mention after you have indicated that you wish to plead guilty at Mentions Court.
Tip
You may apply to change your PG mention dates in writing or via the Integrated Case Management System (ICMS) (for State Courts cases) if you have valid reasons for being unable to attend court on the stipulated dates.
Preparing your mitigation plea
You should prepare your mitigation plea before your PG mention. A mitigation plea is an oral or written statement containing information about you or the circumstances of the crime that may result in a lower sentence.
The purpose of your mitigation plea is for you to convey relevant mitigating factors to the judge so that leniency may be exercised in your sentence. These are reasons, facts or events that seek to persuade the judge why your punishment should be lessened.
Find out what to include in, and how to submit your mitigation plea.
Tip
You will be asked to present your mitigation plea during sentencing. Sentencing is the stage in the criminal process where the judge decides on your punishment after you have been convicted.
Sentencing can be on the same day as conviction. Alternatively, the court can convict you first, and then adjourn sentencing to a later date.
At your PG mention
Your PG mention begins with the court interpreter reading out the charges against you. If you had indicated that you wish to plead guilty at Mentions Court, you will be asked to confirm whether you still wish to plead guilty, or to claim trial.
Note
If your offence is punishable by death, a guilty plea cannot be taken at Mentions Court. The prosecution has to give evidence and prove their case in a criminal trial before the court can accept your plea of guilt for offences punishable by death.
If you decide to proceed with your guilty plea, the statement of facts (SOF) will be read out to you. The SOF contains the relevant facts of your offence. Listen carefully to the SOF. After it has been read to you, you will be asked whether you agree with all the facts.
If you disagree with any fact in the SOF, you must inform the court and the prosecution which part of the SOF you disagree with. The court may then stand down the case to allow you and the prosecution to resolve the disagreement.
Conviction and sentencing
The court will only proceed to convict and sentence you if you fully agree to the SOF. If you cannot agree with the prosecution on any part of the SOF that contains essential elements of the offence, the court will reject your guilty plea.
This means your case will proceed to trial instead.
If you agree to the SOF, the judge will proceed to convict you if satisfied with the admitted facts, and that all the elements of the offence have been proven beyond a reasonable doubt.
Need help?
The information here is for general guidance as the courts do not provide legal advice. If you need further help, you may want to get independent legal advice.
Find out moreResources
Refer to Chapter 6: Sentencing of the Guidebook for Accused in Person (PDF, 430 KB).
Legislation associated with this topic includes Sections 227 to 228 of the Criminal Procedure Code.
Refer to:
- Part XIV of the Supreme Court Practice Directions for electronic filing and service of documents for cases heard in the Supreme Court.
- Part XVIII of the State Courts Practice Directions for electronic filing and service of documents for cases heard in the State Courts.
Go to Step-by-step guide
Step-by-step guide
Attend Criminal Mentions Court
If you plead guilty
OR
2021/07/23
Share this page:
