Can You Be Charged With a Crime Based Only on Witness Evidence in Singapore?
When people hear that they are being accused of a crime based on what another person says, one question often comes to mind: Can I really be charged if there is no CCTV, recording, photograph or other physical evidence? The short answer is that a criminal case does not necessarily require physical evidence. A witness's evidence can form an important part of a criminal investigation and depending on the circumstances may also be relied upon in court. However, being accused or charged is not the same as being found guilty. The prosecution still has to prove the case to the required criminal standard. This distinction is particularly important when looking at witness evidence in criminal cases in Singapore. Can a Witness's Evidence Be Enough? Yes, it is possible for a criminal case to proceed primarily on witness testimony. A witness may have personally seen an alleged offence take place, heard something relevant or have other direct knowledge of what happened. Their evi...