another prima facie case

This mornings Herald editorial comments on Daryl Falcon, who was convicted for assaulting a school child and fined $500.00. Given that the boy's parents pushed for their day in court, the Herald considered diversion would have been a fairer outcome. Many people, including the sentencing judge, have implied that this matter should never have come before the court

There may have been a prima facie case against him. But that was also true of several recent high-profile cases, when it was not deemed sufficient to lead to court proceedings.

Meaning if Falcon was a cabinet minister, he would not have a criminal conviction.