The Queen v. Falzon

Lower Court Judgment

5/04/2017 Supreme Court of Victoria (Court of Appeal) (Whelan, Priest and  Beach JJA)

[2017] VSCA 74

Catchwords

Criminal law – Evidence – Admissibility – Drug trafficking – Drugs, Poisons and Controlled Substances Act 1981 (Vic) ss 71AC, 72A – Where respondent convicted of cultivating commercial quantity of cannabis contrary to s 72A and trafficking drug of dependence contrary to s 71AC(1) – Where trial judge admitted evidence of cash secreted in various locations at respondent’s home as “indicia of trafficking” – Evidence Act 2008 (Vic) ss 55(1), 137 – Where majority of Court of Appeal held substantial miscarriage of justice because trial judge erred in admitting evidence of cash found at respondent’s home – Whether Court of Appeal erred in concluding substantial miscarriage of justice.

Short particulars