30th May 2001
The author was commissioned to research the principles applied by the courts in sentencing under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1977, with particular reference to the criteria used by the courts in determining whether or not to impose the mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years. The research is based on 55 sentencing transcripts taken from Circuit Court cases. The author has also referred, where appropriate, to some decisions of the Court of Criminal Appeals.
Patrick McEvoy BL
To download the document, click on the icon above.
Respect for rights in the penal system with prison as a last resort.