Possession of a Weapon in a Public Place – Mandatory minimum penalties.
On 30 April 2012, the then Premier of Queensland, Campbell Newman revealed a crack down on weapons offences. His government introduced mandatory minimum penalties for weapons charges. Importantly section 50 of the Weapons Act 1990 was amended to include mandatory minimum sentences for possession of various classes of weapons in a public place. Consequently this regime has seen sentences which have appeared unjust. Queensland Courts have sought to remedy the unfairness by imposing probation orders, particularly for young, first time offenders. There have been conflicting interpretations in both the Magistrates and District Court on this issue. That is to say, does the Court have a power in an appropriate case, to impose […]