Underage prostitute case – shrewd, calculated defence move by Subhas Anandan

Read this and then you will know the difference between a lawyer and a good lawyer. You will also know why they are paid so high.

So the morale of the story is when in deep shit, please make sure you get a really good lawyer.

Until the next time, cheers.

From TRMeritus.com, 22 June 2012

Underage prostitute case – shrewd, calculated defence move by Subhas Anandan

The law is the law is the law. If you have paid sex with an underage girl, you break the law. It does not matter if you were tricked into believing she was not underage. Too bad, you should have been more careful.

So when some of the men charged in the underage prostitution case decided to claim trial, I thought these men were crazy. Until Subhas Anandan reportedly said that the underage girl may have to take the stand.

Excerpt from Yahoo News:

The underage callgirl at the centre of the online vice ring scandal is likely to have to testify in court should trials be held, says defence counsel Subhas Anandan.

Speaking to reporters after a round of closed pre-trial conferences on Monday, Subhas said he once again objected to the prosecution’s application for a gag order on the girl’s name in amended charges served on his clients.

“She (will have to testify) if they are going to trial,” he said.

“I objected to it [the gag order] on the basis that the provisions of the law do not protect people like her because she’s not a victim of rape or molest, and provisions do not apply,” he said.

The prosecution was required to serve amended charges on the accused men, adding the girl’s identity, as it was not disclosed initially.

The presiding judge decided, however, that under the interest of justice, the gag order must remain enforced, said Subhas.

Note the argument above. Subhas Anandan tried to get the Court to remove the gag order because the young lady in question is not a victim of a sex crime. In other words, there is no need to hide her identity.

But that is the very foundation of the Prosecution’s position. The Prosecution fears that if her name is made public, their star witness may crumble and the charges against all the men may have to be dropped.

Currently, the Judge has decided in the favour of the Prosecution on the gag. But there lies the issue of impartiality. Why must there be any favour shown by the Courts towards the Prosecution?

But even with the gag order, it has not stopped speculation about her identity. Getting her to testify in court may well be unnerving for the young girl, with all the public attention.

For whatever reason, if Subhas Anandan gets his way and have the gag order dropped, the Prosecution’s star witness may well crumble under pressure and the defence may not even have to make their stand.

Subhas is going for the Prosecution’s weakest spot. That is their star witness’ resilience (or is it lack of resilience?) to face the Court and possibly the media and public.

A very shrewd and calculated move from one of Singapore’s top defence lawyer. He ain’t at the top fer nuthin’ yer know.