When facing a court case, understanding the potential signs your case will be dismissed is crucial for effective legal planning. Several factors, such as insufficient evidence, procedural errors, or legal rights violations, can lead to a dismissal.
In this guide, we will discuss 11 key signs that indicate your case may be at risk of dismissal and explain what you can do to prevent it. Preparing well and gathering the right evidence will improve your chances of securing a favourable outcome.
1. Insufficient Court Case Evidence
In Singapore, both criminal and civil cases rely on solid evidence. The Evidence Act governs the admissibility of evidence in Court. If your Court case evidence is deemed insufficient to meet the required burden of proof, your case can be dismissed.
For criminal cases, the prosecution must prove the accused’s guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. If key evidence, such as witness testimonies, documents, or physical evidence, is weak or missing, a judge may rule there is “no case to answer,” resulting in dismissal.
Similarly, in civil cases, where the standard is a “balance of probabilities,” failure to provide adequate evidence can lead to dismissal.
2. Improperly Gathering Evidence For Court
Understanding how to gather evidence for the Court is critical in Singapore, as the Evidence Act imposes strict guidelines. For example, illegally obtained evidence—such as collected without proper consent or violating privacy laws—may be excluded from Court proceedings.
This includes evidence that violates the Computer Misuse Act or is gathered through unlawful recordings. If key evidence is deemed inadmissible due to improper collection methods, your case may be significantly weakened and dismissed.
3. Submission Of Inadmissible Evidence
Under Singapore law, knowing how to submit evidence in criminal Court is essential. Evidence not meeting admissibility standards outlined in the Evidence Act will not be considered in Court. For instance, hearsay evidence is generally inadmissible unless it falls within specific exceptions.
Additionally, wrongfully obtained evidence, such as confessions extracted through coercion or evidence gathered without legal authorisation, may be excluded. If your case relies on such evidence and is deemed inadmissible, the judge may dismiss it because it lacks lawful and credible evidence.
4. Lack Of Proper Court Evidence Submission
Knowing how to submit evidence correctly in Criminal Court is crucial in Singapore. According to the Evidence Act, the Court can reject improperly submitted evidence, such as those not meeting chain-of-custody requirements or failing to authenticate documents.
If key evidence is rejected on these grounds, your case may lose the necessary support to proceed, leading to dismissal. Always ensure that you follow the proper legal procedures for submission to avoid losing valuable Court evidence.
5. Failure To Prove Your Case
To prove your case, whether in a civil or criminal trial, you must meet the burden of proof required by the Court. In criminal cases, the prosecution must prove beyond a reasonable doubt that the accused is guilty, while in civil cases, it is the balance of probabilities.
If the evidence you present fails to establish the necessary facts or is contradicted by stronger evidence from the other side, the Court may dismiss your case for failure to meet this burden.
6. Procedural Errors In Gathering Evidence
Another key reason cases are dismissed is errors in obtaining evidence. For example, if evidence is obtained unlawfully—such as through trespassing or illegal surveillance—it could be considered inadmissible.
Under the Evidence Act, unlawfully gathered evidence can weaken your case and cause the Court to dismiss it. It’s crucial to adhere to legal guidelines when collecting case evidence to ensure its admissibility.
7. Insufficient Evidence To Support Key Arguments
In both civil and criminal cases, your claims or defences may fail if you do not provide enough supporting case evidence.
In Singapore, Courts rely on well-substantiated evidence to evaluate a case’s merits. If the evidence you present does not sufficiently support your legal arguments, the judge may dismiss the case for lacking the necessary proof. Understanding how to gather evidence properly and present it in Courtis crucial.
8. Failure To Convince The Court With Relevant Evidence
Even if you have evidence, if it’s irrelevant or fails to meet the admissibility criteria under the Evidence Act, your case could still be dismissed. For example, irrelevant or prejudicial evidence might weaken your position. Knowing how to win a Court case involves gathering not just any evidence but evidence that directly supports your claims and is acceptable in Court.
9. Failure To File Or Present Evidence On Time
Singaporean Courts are strict about following procedures and timelines. Failure to submit evidence or key documents within the required deadlines may lead to a dismissal. Courts may view this as a lack of seriousness in pursuing the case. Timely filing of evidence is as important as knowing how to submit evidence in criminal Court.
10. Relying On Hearsay Or Inadmissible Evidence
Hearsay, or evidence that cannot be verified by a witness, is generally inadmissible in Singapore Courts unless it falls under certain exceptions in the Evidence Act.
Relying heavily on Court case evidence that cannot be authenticated or verified could result in the judge dismissing the case, as hearsay does not meet the standards of reliable evidence in most circumstances.
11. Violating The Rules Of Evidence
Understanding the rules of the Evidence Act is essential. Any violation of these rules, such as attempting to use illegally obtained or fabricated evidence, will severely harm your chances of success.
The Court can exclude such evidence, and your case may be dismissed. To ensure your evidence is accepted, you must follow the legal guidelines on gathering evidence for the Court and ensure everything is lawfully obtained.
How Is Evidence Used In Court Cases?
In Singapore, the use of court evidence is strictly regulated by the following laws:
- Evidence Act (EA)
- Criminal Procedure Code for criminal cases
- Rules of Court for civil cases
1. Burden Of Proof
These statutes outline what is called the burden of proof (sections 103-108 of the Evidence Act), which states that:
“Whoever desires any court to give judgment as to any legal right or liability, dependent on the existence of facts which he asserts, must prove that those facts exist.”
For criminal cases, the prosecution must prove your case and establish your guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
2. Standard Of Proof
The standard of proof defines the level of certainty required to convince the Court. In criminal cases, the prosecutor must prove the defendant’s guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. In contrast, the proof is based on the balance of probabilities in civil cases. These differing standards illustrate how Court evidence is evaluated to determine a case’s outcome.
3. Statutory Presumptions
Statutory presumptions refer to certain facts that are presumed true without having to be proved. The EA states statutory presumptions are “proved unless and until it is disproved.” Prosecutors are often required to state which presumptions they are invoking during a trial so that the accused can have a fair chance of rebutting or challenging the presumption.
As a defendant, you can strengthen your defence by gathering evidence that challenges or weakens these three tenets of the prosecution’s case: burden of proof, standard of proof, and statutory presumptions.
What Types Of Evidence Are Admissible In Court?
In Singapore, only Court case evidence relevant to the facts may be presented. Sections 6 to 57 of the Evidence Act (EA) outline relevant evidence that can be admitted to prove your case.
Forms of evidence that can be admitted in court include:
- Oral evidence including eyewitness testimonies, in person or through live video or television links
- Documentary evidence including witness statements and printouts of electronic records
- Real evidence such as material evidence collected from the scene of the crime
- Video and audio recordings and screenshots
Forms of evidence that may not be admissible in court include:
- Illegally obtained evidence, such as through the process of trespassing
- Hearsay (with certain exceptions)
- Privileged information where confidentiality has not been waived
Never fabricate evidence. Fabricating evidence is a criminal offence punishable with up to 7 years’ imprisonment, a fine, or both.
Conclusion About Key Indicators A Case Will Be Dismissed
Factors such as insufficient or improperly gathered evidence, failure to meet the burden of proof, and submitting inadmissible evidence can lead to dismissal.
Following proper legal procedures and gathering credible evidence improves your chances of securing a favourable outcome. Always consult legal experts to ensure compliance with Singapore’s legal standards.
Tembusu Law’s team of top criminal lawyers in Singapore have your best interests at heart and a deep understanding of Singapore’s justice process. For issues related to family law or seeking a divorce lawyer in Singapore, our expert team is also available to assist.
Get in touch with our team and we’ll walk you through your best options for securing a good outcome for your case.
Frequently Asked Questions About Key Indicators A Case Will Be Dismissed
Can A Case Be Dismissed Due To Insufficient Evidence?
Yes, if there is insufficient Court case evidence to support the claims, the Court may dismiss the case. In criminal cases, the prosecution must prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt, and in civil cases, the burden of proof is on the balance of probabilities.
How Can Illegally Obtained Evidence Affect Your Case?
Illegally obtained evidence, such as through trespassing or unlawful surveillance, can be deemed inadmissible. If your case relies heavily on such evidence, it may be dismissed by the Court in Singapore.
What Happens If You Fail To Submit Evidence On Time?
Failure to submit evidence within the required timeframe can result in dismissal. Courts in Singapore follow strict procedural rules, and late submissions may be considered negligence, weakening your case significantly.
What Is The Burden Of Proof, And How Does It Affect Case Dismissal?
The burden of proof refers to the responsibility to prove the facts of the case. In criminal cases, the prosecution must prove the accused’s guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. Failure to meet this burden can result in dismissal of the case.
