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Public Defender's Office timely and necessary
The public defender scheme strengthens access to justice and trust and confidence in the administration of criminal justice, and will enhance commitment to the rule of law in Singapore
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The Public Defender's Office can help reduce the "inequality of arms" in the criminal justice system, says the writer.
ST PHOTO: KUA CHEE SIONG
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Whether an accused person pleads guilty or claims trial to the charges against him, the criminal justice process must be fair and seen to be fair. This, in turn, depends on the accused having access to sound legal advice and proper legal representation.
An accused person is not just the sum of his alleged transgressions. Before a person is lawfully deprived of his liberty or life, the criminal justice process requires a court's careful examination of the alleged offence and holds the law enforcement agencies and prosecutors accountable by scrutinising their actions.
