Arico v The Queen

Arico was convicted of murder and sentenced to a lengthy term of imprisonment. In the course of the criminal trial, certain evidence was obtained from his home by police pursuant to a warrant. The evidence was subject to a suppression order, which prevented the disclosure of the contents of the evidence to the defence. After Arico’s conviction, he sought to obtain some of the documents from the Chief Commissioner of Victoria Police for the purpose of pursuing an application for leave to appeal. The Chief Commissioner refused the application on the basis that the documents were subject to a suppression order and the suppression order was still in force. Arico sought an order from the Court for the Chief Commissioner to provide him with the documents. The legal issues that arose were whether the application was made for a legitimate forensic purpose and whether the documents were subject to a suppression order that was still in force. The Court found that the application was made for a legitimate forensic purpose, as it was being used for the purpose of pursuing an application for leave to appeal. The Court also found that the suppression order was no longer in force, as the appeal had been dismissed and the appeal period had expired. The Court therefore ordered that the Chief Commissioner provide Arico with the documents. The Court held that the suppression order was no longer in force because the appeal had been dismissed and the appeal period had expired. The Court also held that the application was made for a legitimate forensic purpose, as it was being used for the purpose of pursuing an application for leave to appeal. The Court therefore ordered that the Chief Commissioner provide Arico with the documents.