There are 2 widely-accepted models of criminal justice process, namely due-process and crime-control.

The due-process model embodies the ideology that it is better to let 10 guilty men go free than convict an innocent one. The presumption of innocence is therefore a central tenet of this model.

On the contrary, the main feature of the crime-control model concentrated on vindicating victim’s rights rather than on protecting the defendant’s rights.

The Criminal Procedure Code (Amendment) Act 1976 introduced elements of the crime-control model into Singapore. Prior to 1976, the criminal justice system pre-dominantly resembled the due-process model. Following the revolution of the Code, crime rate in Singapore was reduced significantly along with the diminishing hurdles against the conviction of criminals.

For a more detailed exposition, see Chan Sek Keong “Singapore’s Greatest Criminal Lawyer” The Straits Times (15 March 2008).