10ASpecial reasons relevant to imposing minimum non-parole periods

10A Special reasons relevant to imposing minimum non-parole periods S. 10A(1) def. of *impaired mental functioning* amended by Nos 70/2013 s. 3(Sch. 1 item 49), 48/2018 ss 79(1)(a), 84(1), 39/2022 s. 862. ***impaired mental functioning*** means— (a) a mental illness within the meaning of the **Mental Health and Wellbeing Act 2022**; or (b) an intellectual disability within the meaning of the **Disability Act 2006**; or (c) an acquired brain injury; or (d) an autism spectrum disorder; or (e) a neurological impairment, including but not limited to dementia; S. 10A(1) def. of *self-induced intoxication* inserted by No. 48/2018 s. 79(1)(b). ***self-induced intoxication*** has the same meaning as in section 322T(5) and (6) of the **Crimes Act 1958**. S. 10A(2) amended by Nos 72/2014 s. 8(2), 69/2014 s. 5(2) (as amended by No. 72/2014 s. 13(2)), 32/2016 s. 41(1), 50/2016 s. 6(1), 3/2019 s. 85(1). (2) For the purposes of section 9B, 9C, 10, 10AA, 10AB, 10AC, 10AD or 10AE, a court may make a finding that a special reason exists if— (a) the offender has assisted or has given an undertaking to assist, after sentencing, law enforcement authorities in the investigation or prosecution of an offence; or 1 Section 5(2AB) also applies. 2 If an offender fails to fulfil an undertaking, the Director of Public Prosecutions has a right under section 291 of the **Criminal Procedure Act 2009** to appeal against the less severe sentence imposed. S. 10A(2)(b) repealed by No. 48/2018 s. 79(2). (c) the offender proves on the balance of probabilities that— S. 10A(2)(c)(i) amended by Nos 48/2018 s. 79(3), 23/2020 s. 5(1). (i) subject to subsection (2A), at the time of the commission of the offence, he or she had impaired mental functioning that is causally linked to the commission of the offence and substantially and materially reduces the offender's culpability; or S. 10A(2)(c)(ii) amended by No. 48/2018 s. 79(4). (ii) he or she has impaired mental functioning that would result in the offender being subject to substantially and materially greater than the ordinary burden or risks of imprisonment; or S. 10A(2)(d) amended by No. 79/2014 s. 71. (d) the court proposes to make a Court Secure Treatment Order or a residential treatment order in respect of the offender; or S. 10A(2)(e) amended by No. 48/2018 s. 79(5). (e) there are substantial and compelling circumstances that are exceptional and rare and that justify doing so. S. 10A(2A) inserted by No. 69/2014 s. 5(3), amended by Nos 20/2015 s. 54, 28/2016 s. 4, 43/2017 s. 47, substituted by No. 48/2018 s. 79(6), amended by No. 23/2020 s. 5(2). (2A) Subsection (2)(c)(i) does not apply to impaired mental functioning caused substantially by self-induced intoxication. S. 10A(2B) inserted by No. 48/2018 s. 79(7). (2B) In determining whether there are substantial and compelling circumstances under subsection (2)(e), the court— (a) must regard general deterrence and denunciation of the offender's conduct as having greater importance than the other purposes set out in section 5(1); and (b) must give less weight to the personal circumstances of the offender than to other matters such as the nature and gravity of the offence; and (c) must not have regard to— (i) the offender's previous good character (other than an absence of previous convictions or findings of guilt); or (ii) an early guilty plea; or (iii) prospects of rehabilitation; or (iv) parity with other sentences. (3) In determining whether there are substantial and compelling circumstances under subsection (2)(e), the court must have regard to— S. 10A(3)(aa) inserted by No. 72/2014 s. 8(3). (aa) the Parliament's intention that a sentence of imprisonment should ordinarily be imposed and that a non-parole period of not less than 10 years should ordinarily be fixed for an offence of manslaughter in circumstances in which section 9B(2) or 9C(2) applies; and S. 10A(3)(a) substituted by No. 69/2014 s. 5(4). (a) the Parliament's intention that a sentence of imprisonment should ordinarily be imposed for an offence covered by section 10(1) or, subject to section 10AA(2), for an offence covered by section 10AA(1) and that a non‑parole period of not less than the length specified in section 10(1) or 10AA(1) (as the case requires) should ordinarily be fixed in respect of that sentence; and S. 10A(3)(ab) inserted by No. 69/2014 s. 5(4), amended by No. 23/2020 s. 5(3). (ab) the Parliament's intention that a sentence of imprisonment of not less than 6 months should ordinarily be imposed for an offence covered by section 10AA(4); and S. 10A(3)(ac) inserted by No. 32/2016 s. 41(2). (ac) the Parliament's intention that a sentence of imprisonment of not less than 12 months should ordinarily be imposed for an offence covered by section 10AB; and S. 10A(3)(ad) inserted by No. 50/2016 s. 6(2), amended by No. 3/2019 s. 85(2). (ad) the Parliament's intention that a sentence of imprisonment should ordinarily be imposed and that a non-parole period of not less than 3 years should ordinarily be fixed for an offence covered by section 10AC; and S. 10A(3)(ae) inserted by No. 50/2016 s. 6(2), amended by No. 3/2019 s. 85(3). (ae) the Parliament's intention that a sentence of imprisonment should ordinarily be imposed and that a non-parole period of not less than 3 years should ordinarily be fixed for an offence covered by section 10AD; and S. 10A(3)(af) inserted by No. 3/2019 s. 85(4). (af) the Parliament's intention that a sentence of imprisonment should ordinarily be imposed and that a non-parole period of not less than 2 years should ordinarily be fixed for an offence covered by section 10AE; and S. 10A(3)(b) amended by No. 69/2014 s. 5(4). (b) whether the cumulative impact of the circumstances of the case would justify a departure from that sentence and, where relevant, minimum non-parole period. (4) If a court makes a finding under subsection (2), it must— (a) state in writing the special reason; and (b) cause that reason to be entered in the records of the court. (5) The failure of a court to comply with subsection (4) does not invalidate any order made by it.