The Queen v JL
JL was charged with one count of 'supply an indictable quantity of a prohibited drug', contrary to the Drug Misuse and Trafficking Act 1985. The drug in question was MDMA and amounted to a quantity of 12.3g.
Initially JL pleaded not guilty, pursuant to the defense arising from R v Carey 1990, that found the temporary possession of a prohibited drug with the intention of returning it to the owner will not amount to supply. However, the jury found JL guilty in the District Court of NSW.
On sentence, Mr Cole persuaded the judge to have JL assessed for an intensive corrections order, despite JL have several previous convictions for drug supply matters. Initially JL was assessed as unsuitable due to this history. Mr Cole pursuaded the judge to allow JL to be re-assessed. He was ultimately found suitable for an intensive corrections order, and was sentenced to this for a period of 18 months.
This was a fantastic result for the client, considering his initial plea of not guilty and his criminal history.