Our client was a male in his twenties. He has gone through a lot of trauma and mental health battles in his life. He came to us having used a duty lawyer at the first court appearance, who advised him to plead guilty to the charge of endanger life, health or safety of any person. Our client had no prior convictions. The charge related to an incident where, in a desperate attempt to end his life, our client ran onto the Mitchell Freeway. On the day of his offending, after first running onto the freeway and police being called, he was taken hospital. But he was so desperate to end his life he went back later that day. Again police were called and he was subsequently charged.
It was apparent to us that this was not someone who should be in the criminal justice system, but as our client had already pleaded guilty and was represented by a lawyer, there was no scope for us to enter into charge negotiations with the prosecution. The duty lawyer had advised our client this was the ‘worst type’ of endanger life, health or safety they had seen and said our client would be going to jail. Naturally our client was very anxious when coming to first see us. After taking the time to speak to our client about his background and what caused his offending, obtain medical reports and give him suggestions on how to address his offending before sentencing, we were able to achieve the best outcome possible. Our client received a Conditional Release Order and was granted a spent conviction order.
Our client was so crippled with guilt at the thought of others being hurt by his actions and at the thought he ruined his life with this charge that he was still battling with suicidal ideation up until the sentencing. We hope that achieving this outcome for him will allow him to move forward, focus on bettering his mental health and live a beautiful life.