Contempt of the CCC committed in the exercise of its exceptional powers to investigate organised crime is to be treated as analogous to contempt of a Royal Commission, with the general starting point for sentence at the upper end of the 1-2 year range. General deterrence is the paramount consideration, and personal circumstances will rarely mitigate. An asserted fear of retribution will not be given significant mitigating weight without evidence, and even with evidence carries little weight given the policy objectives. A plea of guilty that is merely a recognition of the inevitable, without remorse or saving of time, does not warrant a discount. The Sentencing Act 1995 (WA) does not apply to contempt, so there is no eligibility for parole.
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