Intensive Correction Orders (ICOs) are one of the outcomes our award-winning lawyers at Criminal Lawyers Group secure for our clients as an alternative to serving imprisonment behind bars.
A criminal conviction can have severe repercussions, including imprisonment. Criminal Lawyers Group have been nationally recognised as the top criminal law firm in NSW for securing outcomes that enable clients charged with criminal offences to avoid serving imprisonment behind bars, including via obtaining ICOs.
If you or anyone you know have been accused or charged with a criminal offence, contact our award-winning team of expert criminal lawyers at Criminal Lawyers Group immediately for a free consultation.
WHAT IS AN ICO?
Section 7(1)Â of the Crimes (Sentencing Procedure) Act 1999 (NSW) authorises a Court that has sentenced an offender to imprisonment in respect of 1 or more offences to make an intensive correction order directing that the sentence or sentences be served by way of intensive correction in the community.
An ICO can only be imposed in respect of a single offence if the duration of the sentence is 2 years or less, or for multiple offences if the combined aggregate sentence is 3 years or less.
MANDATORY SUPERVISION
Supervision of an ICO is mandatory and a Court may impose conditions, including electronic monitoring, curfews, home detention, community service work (up to 750 hours), place restrictions, alcohol/drug bans, or non-association requirements.
The Court may impose the requirement that the offender participates in a program to address the cause and underlying factors of the offender’s criminal behaviour.
ENHANCE REHABILITATION AND REDUCE RECIDIVISM
As is the case more broadly in the criminal justice system, a purpose of ICOs is to enhance prospects of rehabilitation and to reduce recidivism. The ability to undergo rehabilitation in the community, whilst under strict supervision, is considered a beneficial alternative to imprisonment behind bars in certain circumstances.
IS THERE A NON-PAROLE PERIOD FOR AN ICO?
No, there is not a non-parole period for an ICO.
Section 7(2) of the Crimes (Sentencing Procedure) Act 1999 (NSW) requires that if the court makes an intensive correction order directing that a sentence of imprisonment be served by way of intensive correction in the community, the court is not to set a non-parole period for the sentence.
IS AN ICO AN OPTION FOR SOMEONE UNDER THE AGE OF 18?
No, Section 7(3) of the Crimes (Sentencing Procedure) Act 1999 (NSW) states that the option of an ICO under Section 7 does not apply to an offender who is under 18 years of age.
However, there are still other alternatives to serving imprisonment for juveniles who have been convicted of criminal offences. To assess the options, it is best to contact our specialised criminal lawyers so that they may analyse your situation and advise you accordingly to secure the best possible outcome.
JOEL KERIM SENTENCED TO ICO FOR BESTIALITY OFFENCES
30-year-old man Joel Kerim has been sentenced to a 15-month ICO and has been ordered to complete 200 hours of community service and sex offender rehabilitation programs after pleading guilty to four counts of bestiality and producing and disseminating bestiality material.
The abuse occurred multiples times over several months on a property near Bega and the offences included Mr Kerim taking photos of himself sexually abusing a female horse. The Court heard that Mr Kerim subsequently approached church elders for advice and then handed himself in to Police.
Mr Kerim’s co-accused and then-wife Mikayla Kerim is due to face trial later this year having been charged for her alleged involvement.
In handing down the sentence of an ICO, Judge Haesler took into consideration Mr Kerim’s early guilty plea and good character. The Judge was of the view that full-time custody would not assist with Mr Kerim’s rehabilitation.
CONTACT CRIMINAL LAWYERS GROUP NOW
If you or anyone you know have been accused or charged with a criminal offence, contact our expert criminal lawyers at Criminal Lawyers Group immediately for a free consultation so that we may secure the best outcome for you.
Our award-winning team of criminal law experts are nationally recognised as the best criminal law firm in NSW for securing ICOs for our clients across NSW as an alternative to serving imprisonment.