Charged with a traffic or regulatory offence

You may plead guilty by letter only if all the following conditions are met:

• Your offence is punishable by fine only or by imprisonment for 12 months or less, or both.
• Your offence is one in which a Magistrate has issued a summons.
• You admit you committed the offence.
• You agree to pay any fine the court may impose on you for the offence.
• The Court does not require you to attend court in person at any stage of the proceedings. 
  

Note: If the Court requires you to attend in person, you must do so even after you have submitted a letter stating your intention to plead guilty to your offence and agreeing to pay any fine which may be imposed for the offence. 

How to plead guilty by letter

You will need to follow these steps:

1. Write a letter stating your intention to plead guilty to your offence and agreement to pay any fine which may be imposed for the offence.
2. Include your name, postal address, identity card (NRIC) number, case number, the original court date and the court in which your matter is fixed.
3. Submit the letter to the following address:

The Registrar
State Courts
1 Havelock Square
Singapore 059724

Getting notified of the court's decision

When your letter is received, the court may record a plea of guilt from you and convict you. You will be notified of the court’s decision by mail, sent to the address you have provided.

The court may instruct you to do any of the following in the letter:

• Pay a fine.
• Pay a fine with a sentence of imprisonment in default of payment.
  • This means that if you do not pay the court fine by the due date stated, you may have to serve a default imprisonment term decided by the court.
• Direct you to attend court on a specified date, time and venue. You must attend the hearing if directed to do so.
  • A term of imprisonment will not be imposed by letter. If the court decides to impose a term of imprisonment, it will require you to attend court.

Paying the fine

You must pay any fine within 7 days of the date the court’s letter was posted. You can pay via the Automated Collection System (ACS) kiosk machine located in the State Courts Bail Centre.

Find out more about payment of court fines.

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