Director of Public Prosecutions v Hilzinger & Drug Court of New South Wales [2011] NSWCA 106

Court of Appeal Supreme Court New South Wales Medium Neutral Citation: Director of Public Prosecutions v Hilzinger & Drug Court of New South Wales [2011] NSWCA 106 Hearing dates: 18 April 2011 Decision date: 17 May 2011 Before: Giles JA at [1] Hodgson JA at [2] Whealy JA at [3] Decision: Summons is dismissed. [Note: The Uniform Civil Procedure Rules 2005 provide (Rule 36.11) that unless the Court otherwise orders, a judgment or order is taken to be entered when it is recorded in the Court's computerised court record system. Setting aside and variation of judgments or orders is dealt with by Rules 36.15, 36.16, 36.17 and 36.18. Parties should in particular note the time limit of fourteen days in Rule 36.16.] Catchwords: CRIMINAL LAW - Certiorari - Application pursuant to s 69 Supreme Court Act 1970 - eligibility test under s 5(2) of the Drug Court Act 1998 - elements of offence relevant, not circumstances of offence - discretion available to reject offender even where otherwise eligible - violent conduct in eligibility test means violence to person - damage to property may be considered under discretion but not relevant to exclude offender under eligibility test Legislation Cited: Crimes Act 1900 ss 105A, 112(2) Drug Court Act 1998 ss 5, 6(2)(b), 6(2)(b), 6(2)(c), 7A, 7D, 10, 11, 12, 16(1), 16(2) Drug Court Regulation 2010 s 5 Cases Cited: Chandler v Director of Public Prosecutions [2000] NSWCA 125; 49 NSWLR 1 Director of Public Prosecutions v Ebsworth [2001] NSWCA 318; 124 A Crim R 410 R v McCrossen [1991] TAS R 1 Breeze v R [1999] QCA 303; 106 A Crim R 441 Tzaidas (BHT Tzaidas) v Child & Ors [2004] NSWCA 252; 61 NSWLR 18 at [29] - [35] per Giles J; Fobco Pty Ltd v Harvey (1996) 40 NSWLR 454 at 462 per Beazley JA Nguyen v Nguyen (1990) 169 CLR 245 at 269 per Dawson, Toohey and McHugh JJ Gett v Tabet [2009] NSWCA 76 at [273]ff Regina v Kenny Li (Unreported, New South Wales Court of Criminal Appeal, 9th July 1997, Abadee and Studdert JJ) Marshall v R [2007] NSWCCA 24 at [10] R v AD [2005] NSWCCA 208 at [22] Water Conservation and Irrigation Commission (NSW) v Browning (1947) 74 CLR 492 at 504 - 505 K-Generation Pty Ltd v Liquor Licensing Court (2009) 237 CLR 501 at [59] per French J R v Butcher [1986] VR 43; (1985) 16 A Crim R 1 Bull v Attorney-General (NSW) (1913) 17 CLR 370 at 384 Khoury v Government Insurance Office of (NSW) (1984) 165 CLR 622 at 638 Waugh v Kippen (1986) 156 CLR at 164 R v Harris [2011] NSWCCA 105 per Simpson J R v Cook [2001] NSWDRGC 9 Antonelli v Secretary of State for Trade and Industry [1998] QB 948 per Beldam LJ Texts Cited: Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research - Crime and Justice Bulletins Nos 52 p8 and 88 p6 NSW Parliamentary Debates, 27 October 1998, p 9032 Category: Principal judgment Parties: Director of Public Prosecutions (Applicant) Christopher William Hilzinger (First Respondent) Drug Court of New South Wales (Second Respondent) Representation: Counsel: D Arnott SC (Applicant) R Burgess (First respondent) Solicitors: Director of Public Prosecutions (Applicant) S E O'Connor (First respondent) File Number(s): 2010/250581 Decision under appeal Date of Decision: 2010-05-18 00:00:00 Before: Dive DCJ File Number(s): 2010/50