Turner v Wheeler [2016] NSWSC 345

Turner v Wheeler [2016] NSWSC 345

The Magistrate erred by not formulating and addressing the correct question—whether the plaintiff's misunderstanding of the burden and standard of proof vitiated her guilty pleas—and this constituted an error of law justifying setting aside the Local Court order and remitting for redetermination.

Parties
Plaintiff: Turner; Defendant: Wheeler
Jurisdiction
Australia
Judgment Date
31 March 2016
Procedural Posture
Criminal Appeal / Leave to Appeal and Appeal From Interlocutory Order/refusal to Withdraw Guilty Plea
Outcome
Appeal allowed, Local Court order set aside, application remitted, costs to plaintiff
Legal Topics
Withdrawal of Guilty Plea, Misapprehension of Burden of Proof, Error of Law by Magistrate, Miscarriage of Justice

Case Brief

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Parties

Turner

Plaintiff

Wheeler

Defendant

Procedural Posture

Criminal Appeal / Leave to Appeal and Appeal From Interlocutory Order/refusal to Withdraw Guilty Plea

  1. 1 Whether refusal to allow withdrawal of guilty plea involved an error of law
  2. 2 Whether misunderstanding of legal burden/standard vitiates guilty plea

Ratio Decidendi

The Magistrate erred by not formulating and addressing the correct question—whether the plaintiff's misunderstanding of the burden and standard of proof vitiated her guilty pleas—and this constituted an error of law justifying setting aside the Local Court order and remitting for redetermination.

Court Disposition

Appeal allowed, Local Court order set aside, application remitted, costs to plaintiff

Orders

  • Extension of time for filing the summons to 11th June 2015
  • Grant leave to appeal