Mr Neaves represented a client who was charged with 2 x possessing an unregistered firearm, 1 x did not secure a firearm, 3 x possessing a prohibited weapon, 1 x possessing a suppressor and 1 x possession of 400 grams of cannabis leaf.
These charges each carry a maximum penalty of 2 years imprisonment as well as significant fines.
Mr Neaves and his team were able to identify several weaknesses in the prosecution’s case.
As a result, they were able to negotiate an amended set of charges and facts.
We entered a plea of guilty to the amended (and less severe) set of charges, and the matter proceeded to sentencing, where Mr Neaves told the Court that our client had no criminal history, was a responsible firearms user for 30 years and that the offending conduct was “out of character”.
Notwithstanding the seriousness of the charges, the Court accepted our submissions and made a conditional release order without recording a criminal conviction.