Director of Public Prosecutions v Langford [2012] NSWSC 310

Director of Public Prosecutions v Langford [2012] NSWSC 310

The Magistrate erred in law by failing to properly evaluate factors required by s 138(3) of the Evidence Act in her exercise of discretion to exclude unlawfully obtained evidence, including undue focus on broad policies and insufficient assessment of the gravity of the impropriety. This error vitiated the exercise...

Source-derived case information.

Parties
Plaintiff: Director of Public Prosecutions (NSW); Defendant: Emma Jane Langford
Jurisdiction
Australia
Judgment Date
04 April 2012
Procedural Posture
Appeal / Judgment
Outcome
Appeal upheld; Local Court order set aside; matter remitted for determination; costs awarded; indemnity certificate granted.
Legal Topics
Appeal From Local Court, Exclusion of Illegally Obtained Evidence, Driving With High Range Prescribed Concentration of Alcohol, Police Powers, Discretion Under S 138 Evidence Act
Criminal Law Evidence Law Traffic Law Appeal From Local Court Exclusion of Illegally Obtained Evidence Driving With High Range Prescribed Concentration of Alcohol Police Powers Discretion Under S 138 Evidence Act

Source-derived case record

Summary, issues, holding and outcome

More case intelligence is available

Unlock the full research layer for this judgment.

Downloadable case file Legal principles 3 Authorities cited 12 Party arguments 2 Amounts and remedies 1
Sign in to unlock

Parties

Director of Public Prosecutions (NSW)

Plaintiff

Emma Jane Langford

Defendant

Procedural Posture

Appeal / Judgment

  1. 1 Whether the Magistrate erred in law in refusing to exercise discretion under s 138 of the Evidence Act to admit unlawfully obtained evidence
  2. 2 Whether the Magistrate failed to properly consider factors under s 138(3) of the Evidence Act
  3. 3 Whether the Magistrate erred in disregarding the high blood alcohol reading indicated by the certificate of analysis

Ratio Decidendi

The Magistrate erred in law by failing to properly evaluate factors required by s 138(3) of the Evidence Act in her exercise of discretion to exclude unlawfully obtained evidence, including undue focus on broad policies and insufficient assessment of the gravity of the impropriety. This error vitiated the exercise of discretion, warranting the setting aside of the Magistrate's order and remittance of the matter to the Local Court.

Court Disposition

Appeal upheld; Local Court order set aside; matter remitted for determination; costs awarded; indemnity certificate granted.

Orders

  • The appeal is upheld.
  • The order of Magistrate McIntyre made on 15 July 2011 is set aside.