Drive Disqualified 10th Offence – No Jail Time

Our client faced sentencing at Parramatta Local Court after being charged with driving while disqualified. This was his tenth offence of a similar nature, with a lengthy history of matters involving driving while suspended, disqualified, or with a cancelled licence. At the time of the offence, he was also in breach of three active Community Correction Orders for previous driving offences.

While represented by another lawyer, he had been refused bail. Upon taking over the matter, we had the case urgently relisted for Sentence the following day.

In the limited time available, his family assisted in preparing a strong body of material in support of his personal circumstances. He was a small business owner, the sole provider for his wife, and had maintained two years of abstinence from drug use. He also cared for his grandmother, who suffers from dementia and relies on him for day-to-day support.

At Sentence, we acknowledged that a custodial sentence was available and well within range for the Magistrate. However, we submitted that the appropriate outcome was for our client to serve his sentence in the community, taking into account his rehabilitation, personal obligations, and the strength of his support network.

The Magistrate accepted our submissions. The client was sentenced to a six-month Intensive Correction Order, allowing him to remain in the community under strict supervision and avoid further time in custody.