The law describes drug offences as being in possession, using or supplying prohibited drugs.  The penalties for these offences vary depending on what you’ve been found guilty on.

Home Detention

Also known as home imprisonment.  It is an alternative to full-time imprisonment. The person under this penalty is strictly supervised and is subject to electronic monitoring.  Most home detentions do not extend to more than 18 months. The penalty is imposed after the court considers all the possible alternatives and finds no other appropriate penalty other than imprisonment.  The court imposes a full time sentence and issues a parole period. If no parole is given, the court provides an explanation of the decision.

Fines

Fining is the common penalty that most courts impose.  The fine amount can depend on the financial capacity of the offender to pay any fine set. Depending on the fine and the financial ability, the court decides and sets the date upon which the payment should be cleared. In the event a person feels he/she cannot complete the payment at the set time, there is room for applying for extra time.

Community Service Order

Sometimes the offender is required to do unpaid work in the community at a place that is specified by the probation and parole.  The law obliges the officer in charge of probation to assess the offender for suitability of undertaking the community service order.  A person can be excluded from such a penalty due to medical reasons.

Good Behaviour Bond

This is an order that the court issues requiring the offender to exercise good behaviour for a given period.  At this time, the court puts conditions and measure in place that the offender has to meet and obey.  A Good behavior bond lasts for a maximum period of five years.  Some of the conditions imposed include attending a drug or alcohol abuse counseling, probation service supervision, or being a residence at a rehabilitation center. In the event the court summons an offender for not complying with the conditions of good bond behavior bond, the court can decide to take no action or impose further conditions. Also, the court can vary the bond’s conditions or revoke the bond and resentence the offender to a tougher penalty.

Restitution Orders

The federal courts have the power ask the offender to compensate the injured party, compensate for any loss incurred, or repay any defrauded amount.

Intensive Correction Order (ICO)

The court may impose an ICO that requires an offender to be involved in 32 hours of community service a month. ICO is imposed if the court concludes that the sentence of imprisonment is the only appropriate penalty. A sentence of imprisonment could be an ICO, home detention, suspended prison or full-time prison.

Other penalties include deferral of sentence, periodic detention, , section 10 dismissal, and discharge without conviction

Facing charges?  Then you need expert legal representation to ensure you get the best possible outcome.  Contact us now on 02 9449 1967 for an obligation free discussion about your case and see how we can help you