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Represent yourself in a Criminal Mentions Court
In this section:
- What is a Criminal Mentions Court
- At your court mention
- Reading of your charges
- Plead guilty or claim trial
What is a Criminal Mentions Court
As an accused person in a criminal case, you will have to first attend the Criminal Mentions Courts. The Criminal Mentions Courts include both the day Mentions Courts and the night Mentions Courts (also known as Night Courts).
At the Criminal Mentions Court, you will be:
- Formally charged for the offences you have allegedly committed.
- Given the opportunity to either plead guilty or claim trial.
When you have to attend court
You will be called to a Mentions Court when the prosecution is ready to charge you officially. This is also known as a court mention. The date, time and location of the Mentions Court will be stated in the notice, summons, or bail bond issued to you.
Depending on your case, you may have to attend court more than once. You will receive a mention slip stating the venue, date and time for your next court hearing at the end of your court mention.
Tip
Keep your mention slip and take note of your court dates. If you cannot remember when your next court date is, you can log on to the Integrated Case Management System (ICMS) to access your case file.
Attendance is compulsory
A Warrant of Arrest may be issued against you if you do not attend court. If you have valid reasons why you cannot attend court on the date and time stated, you should apply to change your mention date via ICMS or in writing to the court.
If you do not attend court while on bail (also known as jumping bail), your bailor will have to explain to the court whether they took reasonable steps to comply with their bailor duties. If the court does not consider their actions reasonable, it may forfeit any money or property pledged as security for bail.
If you are ill on the day of your court hearing, you will need to provide an original medical certificate (MC) that excuses you from attending court.
The court will only accept your MC if it is completely and properly filled in with all of the following details:
- The name of the medical practitioner who issued the certificate.
- The name of the hospital or clinic at which the medical practitioner practises.
- The signature of the medical practitioner in full (must not be merely initialled).
- A rubber stamp authentication showing the medical practitioner's full name and designation in the hospital or clinic.
- A statement which specifically indicates you are medically unfit to attend court.
- Your full name and the dates on which you are unfit to attend court.
If you are out on bail, you should arrange for your bailor to submit the MC to the court on the day of your court hearing. Other supporting documents such as a medical report, doctor’s or hospital memo may also be submitted.
You will need to present a valid letter of authorisation (1) if you are attending court on behalf of:
- A body corporate
- A partnership
- A limited liability partnership
- An unincorporated association
You must bring the letter of authorisation along with you to each of the court hearings. This is because the court needs to be certain that the person appearing in court is duly authorised and appointed by the organisation that they are representing.
Note
You cannot attend court on behalf of a person from your organisation if they are being charged as an individual.
For example, if the Managing Director of your company is the accused, they have to attend court personally to face the charge. You cannot attend court as their proxy.
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 3: Mentions Court of the Guidebook for Accused in Person (PDF, 385 KB).
Refer to When First Charged in Court (PDF, 142 KB).
Legislation associated with this topic includes:
Refer to:
- Paragraph 114 of the State Courts Practice Directions for absence from court on medical grounds.
- Paragraph 118 of the State Courts Practice Directions for use of electronic and other devices.
- Paragraph 128 of the State Courts Practice Directions for appearance at the State Courts via video link of defendants remanded at Changi Prison Complex.
Related questions
You may be represented by a lawyer. Generally speaking, you should be present in court even if a lawyer is representing you, unless the court grants you permission to be exempted from a court hearing (also known as dispensing with the personal attendance of the accused).
If you have no lawyer, you must attend in person.
Footnotes
Go to Step-by-step guide
Step-by-step guide
Attend Criminal Mentions Court
If you plead guilty
OR
2021/07/23
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