A plea of guilty to only some counts on an indictment will still attract a sentencing discount, but the extent of the discount depends on whether the plea demonstrates remorse, acceptance of responsibility and willingness to facilitate the course of justice, assessed in light of all the circumstances including any prior admissions to police and the timing and context of the plea. The usual range for fast-track guilty pleas in Western Australia is between 20 and 35 per cent, but late pleas not indicative of genuine remorse will ordinarily result in a much smaller reduction. Under s 8(2) of the Sentencing Act 1995 (WA), a guilty plea is always a mitigating factor, but the quantum of reduction is discretionary.
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