Our client was a mother facing assault charges after an act of discipline on her 15 year old daughter came to the attention of school officials, the Department of Communities and eventually referred for criminal investigation to WA Police. The aftermath of the mandatory report set in train a cruel and intense incursion by authorities, forcing our client to live separately to her husband and children who remained in the family home. Complicating an already distressing situation, our client could no longer work as a teacher at the school her daughter was enrolled on account of protective bail conditions imposed by the Court.
It was apparent to us that the status quo was untenable and unjust. We embarked upon a robust campaign against the ‘system’ with a view to firstly, reuniting the family under their usual living arrangements. This included obtaining psychological reports, co-ordinating with the Department of Communities and guiding the investigating police towards a position in which they ultimately accepted our submission that the prosecution had no reasonable prospects of succeeding, in the main, because our client’s daughter did not support the persecution of her mother. After four emotionally arduous and traumatic months, the charge was discontinued and a judgement of acquittal entered. Our application for costs was granted in full.
