There are several sentencing options which can be found in Singapore criminal law. The available sentencing options for a particular offence may also be prescribed by statute.
Fines: The most common of sentences would be the imposition of a fine. Fines are intended to take away from the offender the desire to offend in a similar manner again. If the offender does not pay the fine within the stipulated time, the court may order him or her to be imprisoned in default of payment. Where it is clear that an offender will be unable to pay a fine, the fine may be substituted with a short term of imprisonment instead. In the same vein, a fine will not be imposed on a bankrupt offender. In addition, if the offender has committed several offences, where some are serious enough to justify a jail term, the court can also impose a jail term for the less serious offences.
Imprisonment: Custodial sentences, whereby the offender is imprisoned, are generally reserved for serious offences. Some crimes may prescribe a sentence of life imprisonment (e.g. culpable homicide and certain categories of drug trafficking). Composite sentences can also be imposed where the offender has made a large profit from the offence. This means that the court will impose both a fine and an imprisonment term on the offender.
Caning: Certain serious offences will also attract a sentence of caning, in addition to imprisonment. Caning is only applicable to male offenders who are below 50 years of age.
Death sentence: Very serious offences may attract the death penalty. Such offences include murder with intent to kill, as well as certain categories of drug trafficking.
Corrective training: The court may order corrective training if it is of the opinion that such training is required for reformation of the offender. The offender has to be at least 18 years of age, and must have been previously imprisoned. This sentence will involve an imprisonment term of five to 14 years.
Preventive detention: Such a sentence will involve a detention period of seven to 20 years. The court will only order preventive detention if the offender has previously been imprisoned, is at least 30 years of age, and has shown signs of recalcitrance.
Community sentences: For less serious offences, the court may decide to impose a community sentence instead of an imprisonment term. Such sentences include community service orders, which aim to foster a sense of social responsibility.
Other possible sentencing options include probation and reformative training, which are more commonly imposed on offenders below 21 years of age.
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