Parente v R [2017] NSWCCA 284

Court of Criminal Appeal Supreme Court New South Wales Medium Neutral Citation: Parente v R [2017] NSWCCA 284 Hearing dates: 4 October 2017 Decision date: 29 November 2017 Before: Macfarlan JA; Hoeben CJ at CL; Leeming JA; Johnson J; R A Hulme J Decision: 1. Leave to appeal against sentence allowed. 2. Appeal dismissed. Catchwords: SENTENCING – appeal against sentence – three drug supply offences – where sentencing judge applied the Clark "principle" that drug trafficking in any substantial degree should lead to a custodial sentence unless there are exceptional circumstances – whether Clark "principle" incompatible with judicial sentencing discretion – consideration of general sentencing principles – Clark "principle" prescriptive not descriptive – no statutory root – judicially created constraint on the sentencing discretion – Clark "principle" inconsistent with sentencing discretion and should no longer be applied

SENTENCING – appeal against sentence – error established in judge applying Clark "principle" – re-exercise of sentencing discretion – no lesser sentence warranted in law

SENTENCING – general principles – drug supply cases – significance of deterrence and protection of the community – attention to legislative guideposts of high maximum penalties and standard non-parole periods – cases of drug dealing to a substantial degree may ordinarily require custodial sentences – role of s 5(1) Crimes (Sentencing Procedure) Act 1999

SENTENCING – offender a solicitor – whether sentencing judge failed to take into account loss of ability to practise law – prominent feature of case – whilst not explicitly referred to as extra-curial punishment, no doubt sentencing judge had regard to matter Legislation Cited: Community Service Orders Act 1979 (NSW) Crimes (Administration of Sentences) Regulation 2014 cl 186 Crimes (Sentencing Legislation) Amendment (Intensive Correction Orders) Act 2010 (NSW) Crimes (Sentencing Procedure) Act 1999 (NSW) ss 3A, 5, 7, 8, 9, 10, 10A, 12, 15, 54B(4) Crimes (Sentencing Procedure) Amendment (Sentencing Options) Act 2017 (NSW) Crimes Act 1900 (NSW) s 558 Criminal Appeal Act 1912 (NSW) ss 3, 6(3) Drug Misuse and Trafficking Act 1985 (NSW) Periodic Detention of Prisoners (Amendment) Act 1989 (NSW) Periodic Detention of Prisoners Act 1981 (NSW) Cases Cited: Director of Public Prosecutions (Vic) v Dalgliesh (a pseudonym) [2017] HCA 41; 91 ALJR 1063 Douar v R [2005] NSWCCA 455; 159 A Crim R 154 EF v R [2015] NSWCCA 36 Einfeld v R [2010] NSWCCA 87; 200 A Crim R 1 Forti v R [2016] NSWCCA 127 Hili v The Queen; Jones v The Queen (2010) 242 CLR 520; [2010] HCA 45 House v The King (1936) 55 CLR 499; [1936] HCA 40 Kearsley v R [2017] NSWCCA 28 Kenny v R [2010] NSWCCA 6 Kentwell v The Queen (2014) 252 CLR 601; [2014] HCA 37 Markarian v The Queen (2005) 228 CLR 357; [2005] HCA 25 Michael v R [2014] NSWCCA 2 Muldrock v The Queen (2011) 244 CLR 120; [2011] HCA 39 Oudomvilay v R [2006] NSWCCA 275 Polley v R [2015] NSWCCA 247 R v Anderson (Court of Criminal Appeal (NSW), 29 November 1974, unrep) R v Bardo (Court of Criminal Appeal (NSW), 14 July 1992, unrep) R v Blanco (Court of Criminal Appeal (NSW), 22 R 1987, unrep) R v Cacciola (1998) 104 A Crim R 178 R v Constantinou (Court of Criminal Appeal (NSW), 19 December 1975, unrep) R v Foster [2001] NSWCCA 215; 33 MVR 565 R v Gip; R v Ly [2006] NSWCCA 115; 161 A Crim R 173 R v Hallocoglu (1992) 29 NSWLR 67 R v Harmouche [2005] NSWCCA 398; 158 A Crim R 357 R v Leslie (1991) 55 A Crim R 68 R v Marino (Court of Criminal Appeal (NSW), 7 July 1983, unrep) R v Ozer (Court of Criminal Appeal (NSW), 9 November 1993, unrep) R v Peel [1971] 1 NSWLR 247 R v Peter Michael Clark (Court of Criminal Appeal (NSW), 15 March 1990, unrep) R v Pogson; R v Lapham; R v Martin (2012) 82 NSWLR 60; [2012] NSWCCA 225 R v Ruha [2010] QCA 10; 198 A Crim R 430 R v Saw; R v Loh (Court of Criminal Appeal (NSW), 20 December 1974, unrep) R v Sergi (Court of Criminal Appeal (NSW), 13 February 1976, unrep) R v Smith; R v Wright; R v Lorenzo; R v Rendall (Court of Criminal Appeal (NSW), 30 July 1976, unrep) R v Speech (Court of Criminal Appeal (NSW), 11 December 1974, unrep) R v Zamagias [2002] NSWCCA 17 Robertson v R [2017] NSWCCA 205 Smaragdis v R [2010] NSWCCA 276 Wong v The Queen; Leung v The Queen (2001) 207 CLR 584; [2001] HCA 64 Youssef v R [2014] NSWCCA 285 Category: Principal judgment Parties: Ugo Parente (Applicant) Regina (Respondent) Representation: Counsel: Mr C Smith SC with Mr T Quilter (Applicant) Mr E Balodis (Respondent)