Key Takeaways
- Charges: Supply Prohibited Drug (6.7g cocaine) and Deal with Proceeds of Crime ($1,750)
- Court: Downing Centre Local Court
- Outcome: No conviction recorded under Section 9 of the Crimes (Sentencing Procedure) Act 1999 (NSW), 18-month Good Behaviour Bond
The Charges
Supply of a prohibited drug under the Drug Misuse and Trafficking Act 1985 (NSW) carries a maximum penalty of 15 years imprisonment when dealt with on indictment. Even at the Local Court level, the offence is treated seriously. Our client, a young woman, was charged with two offences: supply prohibited drug, namely 6.7 grams of cocaine, and deal with proceeds of crime in the amount of $1,750.
These aren't charges the court takes lightly. A conviction for drug supply stays on a criminal record permanently. It affects employment, travel, and professional licensing for life.
What Happened
On a Saturday night in Coogee, NSW Police officers observed individuals handing cash through the driver's side window of our client's car and receiving cocaine in return. Officers intervened, and our client was arrested on the spot.
She was subsequently charged and bail was refused. She spent time in custody before her matter could be brought before the court.
The circumstances behind the offending mattered. Our client came from a low socioeconomic background and was struggling to pay her bills. She'd been convinced by peers to sell prohibited drugs that night. There was no history of drug dealing. No prior criminal record. One bad decision made under financial pressure.
The Defence
We appeared at Downing Centre Local Court and immediately made a bail release application. The court granted bail with minimal conditions, allowing our client to return to the community while her matter proceeded.
At sentencing, our submissions focused on four areas. First, our client's age. She was young, and a conviction would close doors before they'd opened. Second, we tendered financial statements that detailed her low socioeconomic background, giving the court a clear picture of the pressure that led to the offending. Third, we put forward her subjective circumstances around family, showing who she was beyond the charges on the court sheet. Fourth, she entered an early plea of guilty.
An early guilty plea carries real weight. It saves the court time and tells the magistrate the person in front of them isn't trying to avoid accountability.
The Outcome
The magistrate found that the charges were proven but declined to record a conviction. Our client received a Section 9 order under the Crimes (Sentencing Procedure) Act 1999 (NSW) and was placed on an 18-month Good Behaviour Bond.
In practical terms, this meant the offences did not appear on her criminal record. No conviction. No prison. No community service order. She walked out of court able to apply for jobs, travel overseas, and move forward without a drug supply conviction following her.
Facing Drug Supply Charges?
A charge for supply of a prohibited drug does not automatically mean a conviction will be recorded. What your lawyer puts before the court, and how early they get involved, can change the outcome. If you or someone close to you has been charged with a drug offence, call us on 1300 011 149 or get in touch through our website to talk through your options.
Legal disclaimer: This case study describes the outcome of a specific matter settled on its own facts and circumstances. Past results do not guarantee similar outcomes. Every claim involves different injuries, losses, and legal issues. This article is general information, not legal advice. If you need advice about a criminal matter, contact State Law Group directly.
