Our criminal defence lawyers successfully appear for clients charged with drug offences in the Local, District and Supreme Courts. Below are some examples of results that we have obtained for our clients charged with drug offences.
Importing drugs – Recognisance (Commonwealth Good Behaviour Bond)
Our criminal defence lawyer represented a client charged with attempting to import a commercial quantity of methylamphetamine. Our client was 20 years old when his sister offered him $2000 to use his address to receive a package from overseas. The package that was delivered contained 1.75kg of methylamphetamine. Our lawyer successfully argued that our client should not receive a full-time jail sentence because he acted under the direction of an older sibling he chose to trust against his better judgment. Additionally, he was reckless in that his sister told him that the package contained vapes and he chose to believe her despite his suspicion that the package might contain drugs. Our lawyer also argued that the offence was unsophisticated and did not reflect his otherwise good character as a family man and worker. His strict bail conditions, including house arrest, were also accepted as quasi-custody. Ultimately, the judge agreed, and our client received a recognisance, allowing him to remain in the community with his family and avoid jail.
Supply – Intensive Correction Order
Our criminal defence lawyer represented a client who was stopped on the way to Queensland. He had a passenger, and his car was searched. In the boot, police found a bag containing 10kg of methylamphetamine (ice). Our client had no valid reason for leaving the state, and cash and five mobile phones were also found in the car. The passenger in the car was not arrested for supply, but our client was charged with large commercial supply. The passenger subsequently left the country. Our lawyer convinced the DPP to withdraw the large commercial supply on the basis that there was no forensic evidence linking our client to the drugs in the bag or any evidence that he knew the weight of the drugs being transported. It was accepted that he believed that his friend was transporting a smaller quantity of drugs to Queensland. Our client received an intensive correction order.
Supply – ICO with 100 hours of community service
Our criminal defence lawyer represented a client who was charged with supplying 2.2kg of cannabis. Our client’s home was raided by police, where they found $190k cash and 2.2kg of cannabis. Our lawyer obtained psychological evidence showing a background of disadvantage and evidence that the offending, despite its magnitude, had been a misguided attempt to escape poverty in circumstances where our client suffered severe PTSD. The judge agreed to our lawyers’ submission that an intensive correction order was appropriate, and our client did not go to jail. Our client received a 12-month Intensive Correction Order and 100 hours of community service.
Supply – Charges withdrawn
Our criminal defence lawyer represented a client who was charged with the supply of 15 grams of methylamphetamine. Our client’s home was raided by police, and the drugs were found in his kitchen. He admitted the drugs were his but said they were for personal use. The police charged him with supplying drugs anyway. Our client had a substantial criminal record, including having spent periods in prison, but our lawyer used it to his advantage. They argued that the record was indicative of a long-time drug user, and merely finding drugs, absent any other evidence of supply, meant they were most likely for personal use, despite the weight. The police accepted our lawyer’s argument, and the supply charge was withdrawn.
Supply – Charges reduced to possession, no convictions recorded
Our criminal defence lawyer represented a client who was charged with the supply of 110 ecstasy tablets at the Future Music Festival. Our lawyer explained he was holding 88 of those pills for a friend, and 22 tablets were to be given to other friends at the festival. This resulted in successfully convincing the DPP that the ‘Carey defence’ applied in this case and that the 88 pills should be dealt with on a possession charge. The matter proceeded to sentence at the District Court.  Over a 9-month period, the judge required our client to undertake weekly urine drug testing. Ultimately, the judge imposed a sentence of two good behaviour bonds, without convictions, for the 88-pill possession charge and the supply of 22 pills charge.
Supply downgraded to possession – No conviction recorded
Our criminal lawyer represented a client who was charged with the supply of 9 grams of cocaine. Our lawyer convinced the DPP to withdraw the supply charge and accept a guilty plea to possession. The matter proceeded to sentence in the Local Court, and the judge did not record a conviction.
Festival drug supply charges reduced – Section 10 outcome
Our criminal defence lawyer represented a client charged with the supply of 18 MDMA capsules at a music festival. Our lawyer successfully negotiated with the DPP to secure a guilty plea from his client to one count of possession. This was for having 8 capsules and supplying 10 capsules to friends for no profit. The matter remained in the local court and was dealt with under Section 10 without conviction.
Supply – Community Corrections Order and 100 hours of community service
Our criminal defence lawyer represented a client charged with 110 bags of cocaine. Our client agreed to the amount of somewhere between 66 & 88 grams of cocaine. Our client received a 2-year Community Corrections Order and was ordered to perform 100 hours of community service.
Ongoing Supply – ICO
Our criminal defence lawyer represented a client charged with 3 separate ongoing supplies of 2.5 kg of Gamma-Butyrolactone (GBL). The client was also sentenced for knowingly participating in a criminal group. The client received an Intensive Correction Order of 2 years and 2 months.
Ongoing Supply – No jail time
Our criminal defence lawyer represented a client charged with the ongoing supply of prohibited drugs. The offence was committed while the client was on an Intensive Correction Order for the supply of drugs. Our lawyer arranged for his client to attend residential rehabilitation and ultimately obtained a 2-year Intensive Correction Order for the client, ensuring the client’s rehabilitation could continue in the community rather than be interrupted in prison.