Liam's story - sometimes accessing justice means help being heard

Accessing justice means being heard

 

Liam had a rough start. He grew up within a complex and underprivileged household and started drinking from a young age. Later on in life, his severe alcohol dependency got him in trouble with the law.

Liam came to us at Ozanam Community Centre seeking assistance to vary his Community Corrections Order. Liam was having trouble with the community work component of the order. His physical disability and mental health issues made it difficult for him to catch public transport to attend the program. His lack of compliance with this aspect of the order was causing Liam a great deal of stress.

“When I am in my room thinking about it I feel so upset and anxious I don’t know what to do.”

This was particularly the case as Liam had put a lot of effort into complying with the order. He had fulfilled all the reporting and treatment obligations, a crucial part of his rehabilitation. Liam had made no further attempts to break the law and had even gone further, voluntarily reaching out to support services.

Despite these efforts, Liam felt unsupported by his corrections worker. “No one listens to me”, he told us. IMCL listened.

We represented Liam in the Magistrates’ Court and made submissions on his behalf to reduce his community work hours. The Magistrate removed the community work component in full, citing Liam’s “commendable compliance” with the order and his “admirable rehabilitation efforts”.

Liam was very pleased with the outcome and his decision to SPEAK UP, showing that sometimes accessing justice means help being heard.