{"id":1586,"date":"2021-08-02T09:03:35","date_gmt":"2021-08-02T09:03:35","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/legalblog.ie\/?p=1586"},"modified":"2021-08-07T09:14:26","modified_gmt":"2021-08-07T09:14:26","slug":"drugs-sentences","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/legalblog.ie\/drugs-sentences\/","title":{"rendered":"Drugs Sentences"},"content":{"rendered":"<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_63 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-grey ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<div class=\"ez-toc-title-container\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title \" >Table of Contents<\/p>\n<span class=\"ez-toc-title-toggle\"><a href=\"#\" class=\"ez-toc-pull-right ez-toc-btn ez-toc-btn-xs ez-toc-btn-default ez-toc-toggle\" aria-label=\"Toggle Table of Content\"><span class=\"ez-toc-js-icon-con\"><span class=\"\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/span><\/div>\n<nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/legalblog.ie\/drugs-sentences\/#Range_of_Offences\" title=\"Range of Offences\">Range of Offences<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/legalblog.ie\/drugs-sentences\/#Possession_Not_for_Supply\" title=\"Possession Not for Supply\">Possession Not for Supply<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/legalblog.ie\/drugs-sentences\/#Mandatory_Sentences\" title=\"Mandatory Sentences\">Mandatory Sentences<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/legalblog.ie\/drugs-sentences\/#Exceptions\" title=\"Exceptions\">Exceptions<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/legalblog.ie\/drugs-sentences\/#Other_Criteria\" title=\"Other Criteria\">Other Criteria<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Range_of_Offences\"><\/span>Range of Offences<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Controlled drugs offences range from possession of relatively innocuous drugs for personal use to possession of hard drugs for the purpose of supply. They also includes offences aimed against large-scale organised drug supply.<\/p>\n<p>Possession of drugs is significantly less serious than supplying. Introducing a non-user to drugs is more serious than supplying an existing user. Possessing and supplying hard drugs is more serious than possessing cannabis.<\/p>\n<p>Dealing for personal gain is more serious than dealing out of financial necessity or to finance addiction although each are likely to receive custodial sentences. Selling drugs to recovering drug addicts or those in rehabilitation centres is significantly aggravating.<\/p>\n<p>The absence of previous convictions is relevant but may not be sufficient to avoid a custodial sentence. Previous convictions for a similar offence are likely to be significant aggravating factor.<\/p>\n<p>Very heavy sentences are likely in the case of persons importing drugs on an organised basis for gain, in particular, where they organise others to sell drugs and offer drugs to young people. Drug trafficking involving groups or gangs is serious. Drug trafficking is especially serious. THere are now mandotory sentences.<\/p>\n<p>In England and Wales, selling hard drugs at the street level may merit, a five to six year sentence. The circumstances may introduce aggravating or mitigating factors. The drug type may be relevant to some extent. Dealing in cannabis is entirely different to dealing in harder drugs.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Possession_Not_for_Supply\"><\/span>Possession Not for Supply<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Possession of cannabis is historically treated more leniently than possession of harder drugs. The more serious offences do not differentiate between the type of drugs involved. Large-scale possession and repeated offences may justify an immediate prison sentence.<\/p>\n<p>Possession of controlled drugs may be treated leniently, though not inevitably so. In the case of possession of cannabis for personal use, the penalty is a fine on a first or second conviction. On a third offence, the fine is \u20ac1270- or 12-months imprisonment or both, on summary conviction or up to three years imprisonment or both on conviction on indictment.<\/p>\n<p>The offender may offer evidence by way of medical and professional reports on their background and medical condition. An offender may enter a recognisance with conditions agreeing to partake in drug rehabilitation programmes and equivalent.<\/p>\n<p>The court may order an offender be detained in a designated custodial treatment for up to a year. The order must be appropriate, having regard to the needs of the offender and the fulfilment of which is within the capacity of the institution. Breach of the orders causes matters to be relisted before the court. See Misuse of Drugs Act.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Mandatory_Sentences\"><\/span>Mandatory Sentences<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>See separately the sections in respect of minimum sentences in respect of multiple convictions for possession of drugs for the purpose of supply where the market value exceeds \u20ac13,000. Where the value of drugs is below the \u20ac13,000 level, more general provisions of sentencing apply. The minimum sentence need not be the guiding factor.<\/p>\n<p>Following conviction on indictment for the above offence, the imprisonment to be specified is not less than 10 years. There is discretion not to so impose the mandatory sentence, if there are exceptional and specific exculpatory circumstances.<\/p>\n<p>The State may not commit, remit or commute a sentence imposed under the above provisions. However, there may be prison remission for good behaviour of one quarter of the sentence.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Exceptions\"><\/span>Exceptions<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Courts are not obliged to impose the minimum sentence, if it is satisfied it would be unjust in the circumstances. The provisions do not apply to children or young persons, as defined. The courts have held that the absence of previous offences and genuine remorse may be sufficient. The appeal courts have taken a liberal view of what is required to render it just to impose a lesser sentence.<\/p>\n<p>Where the courts believe a lower sentence is justified, they cannot ignore the 10-year provision. Regard is to be had to the gravity of the offence. The existence of the minimum sentence is an important guide and it cannot be ignored. It must be imposed in the absence of exceptional and specific circumstances.<\/p>\n<p>In terms of what is an exceptional and specific circumstance, the court may have regard to the stage at which the person pleaded guilty to the offence and whether he materially assisted the investigation.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Other_Criteria\"><\/span>Other Criteria<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>When imposing a sentence, the court may inquire if the offender is addicted to one or more controlled drugs. If it is satisfied that this was a significant factor, it may list the sentence for review after one half of the sentence. The court may suspend the balance on such conditions as it thinks fit.<\/p>\n<p>The courts have emphasised that the 10-year sentence is not the maximum sentence for the offence, but it is in fact life imprisonment. Courts should decide on the matter with reference to the maximum sentence rather than the statutory minimum. Although a guilty plea is a factor, it is rarely sufficient in itself so as to be exceptional.<\/p>\n<p>Severe sentences have been upheld for drug dealing where there are significant quantities and evidence that the accused is involved in a profit-making business of selling drugs. In a notorious case, a 28-year sentence was reduced to 20 years in the case of an individual involved in large-scale significant involvement in organised drug crime.<\/p>\n<!--themify_builder_content-->\n<div id=\"themify_builder_content-1586\" data-postid=\"1586\" class=\"themify_builder_content themify_builder_content-1586 themify_builder tf_clear\">\n    <\/div>\n<!--\/themify_builder_content-->\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Range of Offences Controlled drugs offences range from possession of relatively innocuous drugs for personal use to possession of hard drugs for the purpose of supply. They also includes offences aimed against large-scale organised drug supply. Possession of drugs is significantly less serious than supplying. Introducing a non-user to drugs is more serious than supplying [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_exactmetrics_skip_tracking":false,"_exactmetrics_sitenote_active":false,"_exactmetrics_sitenote_note":"","_exactmetrics_sitenote_category":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[71],"tags":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/legalblog.ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1586"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/legalblog.ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/legalblog.ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/legalblog.ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/legalblog.ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1586"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/legalblog.ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1586\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1806,"href":"https:\/\/legalblog.ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1586\/revisions\/1806"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/legalblog.ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1586"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/legalblog.ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1586"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/legalblog.ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1586"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}