PSS213 (Criminal Law in Practice: An Overview): Group-Based Assignment

Module / Subject / School

PSS213: Criminal Law in Practice: An Overview
Singapore University of Social Sciences

Requirements

Question 1 – 1,500–2,000 words (40 marks)
“An acquittal by the Courts does not mean that an accused person is innocent. This only means that the Courts have not been satisfied beyond reasonable doubt that the accused person has committed the offence charged. There is therefore a difference between ‘factual innocence’ and ‘acquittal in law’.”

Discuss the accuracy of the above statement, by reference to provisions of the Criminal Procedure Code and other sources of law (e.g., other statutes, Parliamentary Reports, relevant case law).

In doing so, you should minimally address:

• Conceptual differences: Explain the differences between “burden of proof” and “standard of proof” in the context of criminal matters.

• Evidential burden: Describe how burden of proof shifts between the Prosecution and Defence during a criminal trial.

• Presumption of innocence: Demonstrate how the standard of proof differs for Prosecution and Defence.

Question 2 – 1,500–2,000 words (30 marks)
Read the attached “Second Reading Speech on the Criminal Procedure (Miscellaneous Amendments) Bill 2024 – Speech by Ms Rahayu Mahzam, Senior Parliamentary Secretary, Ministry of Health and Ministry of Law.”

(a) By reference to Muhammad bin Kadar and another v Public Prosecutor [2011] SGCA 32, Muhammad Nabil bin Mohd Fuad [2020] SGCA 25, and other sources of law (e.g., statutes, parliamentary reports, case law), explain and analyse:

• Kadar Disclosure Obligations – scope and timing

• Additional Disclosure Obligations – scope and timing

(b) Prepare and record a video presentation covering the “first category of amendments” in paragraph 4 of the speech:

• Amendments at ss 17, 34, and 78: Examine and illustrate how they update, enhance, and clarify Police powers, contrasting them with their prior versions in the CPC.

• Practical application: Demonstrate how these amendments could assist police raids on a hypothetical scam centre in Singapore. You may refer to the 27 September 2024 Straits Times article, relevant podcasts, and credible publications on scam centres.

Submission Instructions for Q2(b):

• Submit a video recording in .mp4 format

• All group members must speak for at least 2 minutes

• Maximum 15 minutes delivery

• Submit 10–15 PowerPoint slides (.ppt, .pptx, .pdf)

• Include in-text citations and a reference list in the slides

What We Score

• 80%

Writer’s Comment

This group-based assignment assesses your ability to critically analyse criminal law principles and apply them to real-life and hypothetical scenarios.

Common challenges include:

• Misunderstanding legal nuances: Students often confuse factual innocence with legal acquittal.

• Weak application of disclosure obligations: Difficulty linking Kadar and Additional Disclosure requirements to practical cases.

• Presentation clarity: Groups sometimes fail to coordinate roles effectively or exceed time limits.

Strong submissions clearly:

• Explain concepts with legal references to case law and statutes

• Apply amendments practically using credible scenarios or examples

• Ensure team coordination for a coherent and timely video presentation

General Tips to Improve Your Score

• Use clear legal reasoning: Reference CPC provisions and case law directly

• Balance theory and application: Integrate statutory and case analysis with practical examples

• Team coordination: Ensure every member contributes and speaks clearly during the presentation

• Slide design: Keep slides clear, concise, and well-cited

Why Students Work With Our Experts for This Assignment

• Legal expertise: We help students interpret statutes, case law, and Parliamentary Reports accurately

• Presentation support: Guidance on creating professional, concise, and coherent video presentations

• Group coordination tips: Assistance in assigning roles, managing speaking times, and creating slides

• High-quality submissions: Ensures all assessment requirements are met, with clear references and practical examples

If you need help with this PSS213 group-based assignment, our team knows exactly how to handle both the legal analysis and the video presentation components.