VCH or voluntarily causing harm laws are Singapore’s way of maintaining safety and order. However, they may also land people with sentences that do not deserve them.
If you feel that you or a loved one are wrongfully facing a VCH case, here are a few things to keep in mind:
Does Provocation Matter?
There are times in which the infliction of bodily injury or harm is necessary. In some cases, an attorney may argue that provocation is one of these instances. Provocation is the use of words, actions, or circumstances that might cause a person to inflict harm on someone else.
An example of provocation might be threatening someone’s property or their loved ones. As a result of this threat, a person may cause harm to the person making the threat due to severe emotional distress. While these cases can be difficult to argue successfully, it is possible – and worth exploring with an attorney.
The Role of Private Defence
As is true in many nations around the world, Singapore has a history of allowing citizens the right to defend themselves. The use of this defence can be argued when it comes to voluntarily causing harm. Just as with provocation, the success of this argument is not guaranteed, although understanding some key points can help make it easier to win your case.
Some conditions that may make your case easier to argue include:
- You sustained bodily harm as well, especially if it happened before you caused harm to the other party.
- The harm caused by the assailant was reasonable in response to that inflicted or threatened by the accuser.
- Seeking help from the authorities was not possible.
If you are not sure whether your case meets these criteria or not, there are criminal defence firms in Singapore that specialize in VCH law and defence. Be sure to contact a legal professional for guidance to ensure the most complete understanding of the law, as well as the best possible outcome.
