Two clients were recently separately charged, on different occasions and in unrelated matters for Centrelink fraud and were facing a possible gaol term after each pleaded guilty to the charges. Both clients were concerned about their careers as a criminal conviction could have detrimented their current work.
I made submissions in the first matter that although the client was guilty of the charges, it would be appropriate to not convict the client. The Magistrate agreed and dismissed the matter without recording a conviction.
I made similar submissions immediately after in the next matter before the Magistrate. Again, although not without some further persuasion, the Magistrate dismissed the matter without recording a conviction.
Both clients escaped criminal records and are successfully continuing in their respective careers!