Amal's story - ensuring a fair criminal justice response

Bringing underlying circumstances to light, to help set aside Amal's criminal charge

Like many people at Ozanam, Amal has an acquired brain injury that significantly impairs his memory. The police didn’t know this when they charged him with theft after it was alleged that he used someone else’s credits in a pokie machine. Amal told us it was a mistake as he thought it was his machine.

We explained Amal’s condition to the police who were now able to take it into consideration. As a result they recommended diversion, which was granted by a magistrate after we appeared in court. Without us, Amal’s underlying circumstances may have never come to light, leaving him unfairly criminalised.