Meeno Chawla was instructed to represent a youth client, charged with possession with intent to supply Class A drugs. He was 17 years old at the time of the offending and had run away from home. This vulnerable young man had been approached by a gang to make some 'quick money.' The gang threatened the youth to take the drugs and he was arrested with Class A drugs in his possession. The police arrested him with the drugs in his bag, and he was released under investigation for 8 years.
A basis of plea was submitted and accepted by the Crown. Meeno made submissions that there were exceptional circumstances in this case to move away from the sentencing guidelines, where the starting point was 3 years imprisonment.
She argued that exceptional circumstances were engaged to implement a 12-month community order. The youth client had managed to keep out of trouble since his arrest and made significant positive changes to his life. The judge heard Meeno’s submissions and took this exceptional course.
Meeno was instructed by Jill Joyce from Old Bailey Solicitors.
Meeno Chawla has a busy defence practice and is regularly instructed in the Crown Court and Magistrates’ Courtsm instructed in a wide range of offences including drugs, fraud, robbery, domestic violence, and sexual crimes. She has experience in dealing with young and vulnerable defendants in the youth courts and has completed specialist training with the Youth Justice Legal Centre.
