arrested for theft for first time.

[PNGMK]

Ok take a deep breath and calm down.

1. You need legal advice. Find a lawyer. STOP talking to the IO and cops until you have one signed up.

Notes:

2. The IO has the power to drop the charges before the charges are passed to the Attorney General - the AJC also has the power to drop charges before court. This is the best way to get out of this, but you need help to do this. In essence you need someone to help you work out how to plead your way out of this.

3. If the AJC recommends your brother is charged then he will have to go to court (the IO cannot over ride the AJC)- and unfortunately in Singapore the conviction rates are high - hence why you need to try to derail this prior to court. However don't give up hope - a good lawyer can build a case showing there was no intent - unfortunately you have all been blabbing to the IO and police and probably inadvertently admitted intent.

TLDR: find a lawyer and stop talking to the cops.

[den1596]

Hi all Thanks for the reply.

I really don't know what can happen to him. Just hope for the best Next week when he meets his IO.
Never seen my brother so worried before.
We also not sure to engage lawyer before or after the result...

Again Thanks for taking time to post reply.

[sundaymorningstaple]

I would suggest before, so your brother doesn't go and say something that might jeopardize his case. Once he opens his mouth, if he says the wrong thing, he's hung himself out to flap in the wind.

[PNGMK]

Hi all Thanks for the reply.

I really don't know what can happen to him. Just hope for the best Next week when he meets his IO.
Never seen my brother so worried before.
We also not sure to engage lawyer before or after the result...

Again Thanks for taking time to post reply.

BEFORE BEFORE BEFORE!!!!

Lawyer cannot fix after lah!

95% conviction rate if it goes to court!

FFS!

[den1596]

So you are saying get a lawyer before meeting the IO Next week?

[sundaymorningstaple]

[rajagainstthemachine]

So you are saying get a lawyer before meeting the IO Next week?

duh!!

[bgd]

So you are saying get a lawyer before meeting the IO Next week?

Yes. He can advise your brother on what to say to say to help his case. The lawyer will know the system and has probably dealt with many similar cases in the past.

Getting a lawyer after the meeting is too late.

[den1596]

My brother meeting the IO to know if he got a warning or being charged. One of my friend told me that if he been given warning there's no need for lawyer. But if he is being sentence or charged then can ask for extension on the bail to seek lawyer.

Been reading a lot of article. Those who Cause volunteering hurt to others get only fine. Theft/shoplifting warning. My friend did a joyride with car years ago got a probation. I don't know if my brother case is way more serious then those I mention. I'm just hoping for a saving grace.

Hopefully the judge may have mercy on him.

And Thanks everybody For the advice.

[PNGMK]

My brother meeting the IO to know if he got a warning or being charged. One of my friend told me that if he been given warning there's no need for lawyer. But if he is being sentence or charged then can ask for extension on the bail to seek lawyer.

Been reading a lot of article. Those who Cause volunteering hurt to others get only fine. Theft/shoplifting warning. My friend did a joyride with car years ago got a probation. I don't know if my brother case is way more serious then those I mention. I'm just hoping for a saving grace.

Hopefully the judge may have mercy on him.

And Thanks everybody For the advice.

Ah well I guess you friends know everything there is. Will they serve your brothers sentence when he is convicted?

Dude... I've been on the sharp end with the cops (reasons are persona) - trying to save money on a lawyer is a joke.

Yeah the cops will love him going in unprepared. I bet they slap a written statement down in front of him to sign...

YOU"RE AN IDIOT

FYI property offences in Singapore generally attract stiffer penalties than assault for some reason.

[ecureilx]

My brother meeting the IO to know if he got a warning or being charged. One of my friend told me that if he been given warning there's no need for lawyer. But if he is being sentence or charged then can ask for extension on the bail to seek lawyer.

Been reading a lot of article. Those who Cause volunteering hurt to others get only fine. Theft/shoplifting warning. My friend did a joyride with car years ago got a probation. I don't know if my brother case is way more serious then those I mention. I'm just hoping for a saving grace.

Hopefully the judge may have mercy on him.

And Thanks everybody For the advice.

Ah well I guess you friends know everything there is. Will they serve your brothers sentence when he is convicted?

Dude... I've been on the sharp end with the cops (reasons are persona) - trying to save money on a lawyer is a joke.

Yeah the cops will love him going in unprepared. I bet they slap a written statement down in front of him to sign...

YOU"RE AN IDIOT

FYI property offences in Singapore generally attract stiffer penalties than assault for some reason.

probation happens if the person is of certain age, and rarely to others

and I am sure the cops gonna go 'this is not your first time, this is the first time you got caught' ....

OP, the idea is not to go to Judge level ....

and how old is your brother btw?

yah, nobody want to go to jail but the key is to avoid what he did.

[zzm9980]

My brother meeting the IO to know if he got a warning or being charged. One of my friend told me that if he been given warning there's no need for lawyer. But if he is being sentence or charged then can ask for extension on the bail to seek lawyer.

Been reading a lot of article. Those who Cause volunteering hurt to others get only fine. Theft/shoplifting warning. My friend did a joyride with car years ago got a probation. I don't know if my brother case is way more serious then those I mention. I'm just hoping for a saving grace.

Hopefully the judge may have mercy on him.

And Thanks everybody For the advice.

You're an idiot. PNGMK is giving you solid advice, but you're being trying to be cheap and you jeopardize your, sorry your brother's, chances.

If you like to gamble with your, sorry your brother's, future, do what your friend says. If you prefer safety, do what PNGMK says.

[JR8]

We also not sure to engage lawyer before or after the result...

BEFORE BEFORE BEFORE!!!!
Lawyer cannot fix after lah!
95% conviction rate if it goes to court!
FFS!

So you are saying get a lawyer before meeting the IO Next week?

[PNGMK]

OP is one of those nitwits who thinks appealing a sentence is a good idea in Singapore.

[desperatebrother]

Hi guys,

My brother was arrested for theft case on 26 Jul 15, he was escorted by the police to our flat yesterday to search for stolen items and managed to find two unexplained handphones.

We are Malaysians and I don't know what is going on and what is the procedure. I tried to call the IO but he was not telling me much due to investigation on progress. Anyone knows what are my rights? I could not tell my family members because each of them are going through so much. I tried to check with the IO to bail my brother out while investigation on going but the IO said no, and I cant even visit my brother. My brother is 28 years old this year, he does now know his rights and I doubt he will make the request to contact any family members.

Why he did it, I have no idea, we are not financially wealthy but we are coping fine with our rental unit. I am guessing it was an impulsive act and temptation. Stupid, I know but I am breaking down, anyone knows what can be done?

I have checked with my friends (ex-police), she suggested to wait for the investigation to be completed before engaging any lawyers. It will be maximum two weeks, it has been two days and it is unbearable. The IO is not helpful and friendly, sounded and treated as if I'm a criminal as well.

My brother recently graduated from Australia last year and just found a job in Singapore, was going to start on 27 Jul 2015 but was arrested. He has no criminal records and yes he used to steal when studying at primary and secondary school but stopped.

Here's my questions:-
1) Can I bail him out? He is just a simple person, doubt he could mess up the ongoing investigation.
2) Engaging a lawyer now, will it help? or should I just wait till the investigation completed? How much will it cost me?
3) Anything else I can do but wait?