Last week, Justin Wong represented a client charged with multiple supply prohibited drug charges in the Local Court.

Our client had been arrested supplying over 130 capsules of MDMA at a Sydney hotel. When arrested, he co-operated with police and made full admissions. Although he was initially refused bail, he was eventually granted bail by a Magistrate. He had never been charged before and had a clear record.

After pleading guilty to the supply charges, our client completed the Positive Lifestyle Program with the Salvation Army and engaged enthusiastically with counselling. He also complied with his strict bail conditions which included a curfew and daily reporting.

Supply of a prohibited drug carries a maximum penalty of 15 years in the District Court and 2 years in the Local Court. For cases involving quantities similar to our client’s case, courts often impose sentences of full-time imprisonment even for people with no other record.

In this case, Justin argued that a sentence other than full-time imprisonment was appropriate because of our client’s co-operation with police, the substantial steps he had taken to rehabilitate, his prior good character, his bail conditions, and the fact he was remorseful and unlikely to re-offend.

The Magistrate considered all of the material and submissions and agreed. He was sentenced to an Intensive Corrections Order and avoided full-time imprisonment.

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