In the case of Chakka v Queensland Police Service [2024] QCA 213, the Supreme Court of Queensland Court of Appeal dealt with an application by Satish Kumar Chakka for leave to appeal a decision from the District Court. The application arose from a sentence initially imposed by a Magistrates Court, where Chakka had pleaded guilty to unlawful stalking. The Magistrate fined him $1,800, issued a restraining order, and recorded a conviction. Chakka sought to appeal the recording of the conviction, arguing that the Magistrate erred in the exercise of sentencing discretion. He also applied for an extension of time to file this appeal in the District Court, which was refused as the primary judge found no error in the Magistrate's discretion. Chakka then sought leave to appeal this refusal in the Court of Appeal, asserting that specific errors in the Magistrate's decision affected the recording of a conviction. Ultimately, the Court of Appeal, examining whether any substantial injustice warranted such an appeal, refused leave, concurring with the lower court's decisions.
Full text: https://www.sclqld.org.au/caselaw/150344