Section 32 Application under the Mental Health (Forensic Provisions) Act 1990

Our client was charged following a Strike Force Raptor search of her home, following an alleged supply of drugs from that premises.

A commercial quantity of LSD was found in the refrigerator of the home. Our client was granted bail, the case being assigned to Blacktown Local Court.

Following service of the brief of evidence, we began tough negotiations of the charge with the Prosecution, ultimately convincing them to reduce the commercial supply charge to indicatable supply only.

We obtained strong subjective material and a compelling psychological report. In doing so, it became apparent that our client was suffering from various mental illnesses.

We proceeded to make an application under s.32 of the Mental Health (Forensic Provisions) Act 1990.

The case was heard before Magistrate O’Neill in mid June 2019.

The application was granted, and our client was discharged and the charges dismissed.

A remarkable result, considering our client was facing a possible 20 year jail term for commercial supply.

Our client was charged with intimidation causing fear of physical or mental harm.

The prosecution alleged that our client had intimidated his ex-girlfriend by holding a petrol canister towards the victim, threatening to pour petrol all over her and then “light her up”.

After seeking instructions from the client it became clear that our client was suffering from a mental condition at the time of the incident. This was confirmed by his treating psychologist.[jcol/]

At Parramatta Local Court, our dedicated solicitor asked the court to deal with this offence under Section 32 of the Mental Health (Forensic Provisions) Act 1900 NSW.

A psychologist report and a treatment plan were tendered in support of the application. The Magistrate agreed with our solicitor and dismissed the charged conditionally on the basis that our client complies with his treatment plan.

He continues treatment, and is doing well with his treatment.

Our client instructed our firm that a disqualification would have a detrimental effect on her family life, particularly on her child who was required to attend regularly medical treatment.

The matter proceeded before Magistrate Swaine at Fairfield. Our solicitor argued that our client had smoked cannabis a number of days prior to the offence and was not aware that cannabis can last in the blood for up to six weeks. Furthermore medical evidence was presented regarding our clients need to drive her child to medical appointments.

It was further argued our client’s good character and remorse would enable the court to be lenient on this occasion and not record a conviction

The court agreed and placed our client a bond pursuant to Section 10. No conviction meant no penalty or disqualification.

Our client was charged with Using Carriage service to threaten her boyfriend. She had been suffering from serious depression prior, during and after the commission of the offences. She was a person of good character that was obviously not of a violent disposition.

Our solicitor sought a section 32 under the Mental Health (Forensic Provisions) Act 1990, citing that our client had received counselling from her Psychologist for months prior to the offence, and continued with that counselling during the court proceedings.

We obtained a comprehensive Psychological report detailing her condition, a suitable treatment program and prognosis for her court hearing at Sutherland Local Court in June 2015.

The case appeared before Magistrate Bugden, who agreed with our application and proceeded to discharge our client into the care of her parents.

An excellent result for our client.

Our client was charged with six counts of larceny amounting to about $1,000. She had entered six different shops and took multiple items of clothing.

After being stopped and questioned by police, she had returned all the items.

Our client has had a history of mental health issues including major depression. As a report was written by a psychologist. Within this report it stipulated that our client has previously had a miscarriage and had no support system after moving to Australia. She was experiencing a mental episode during the offence.

The client was pushed to continue therapy by our solicitor and go to a sleep clinic before her court date. We asked the court to deal with our client pursuant to section 32 of the Mental Health (Forensic Procedure) Act to divert her away from the criminal justice system and into a treatment plan for 6 months.

Magistrate O’Brien found great merit in our client’s application and discharged her into the treatment of her psychologist and dismissed the charges against her