Our client was a retained firefighter charged with a string of offences arising from an allegation that he broke into a fire station, took the truck for a joyride, and crashed it into the station upon returning it. His matter was referred to us on a grant from Legal Aid. Originally to be dealt with at trial in the District Court, we persuaded the DPP to relinquish the matter to NSW Police to prosecute in the Local Court, where the maximum penalties are 2 years’ jail only. Instructed to defend what was a circumstantial case, our client was found guilty after 2 days of hearings; however, we were nevertheless able to persuade the court to deal with our client by way of good behaviour bonds and fines only, thereby avoiding jail and any community service orders.