Criminal charges and appeals
- Arms
- Assault
- Burglary
- Drink driving
- Drugs charges
- Fraud
- Manslaughter
- Murder
- Proceeds of crime
- Receiving
- Sexual assaults
- Transport matters and traffic offences
- Youth justice
Criminal Law
If you are facing criminal charges, our highly experienced defence lawyers will work to protect your rights and achieve the best possible outcome in your case.
Headed by Arthur Fairley, who has conducted hundreds of jury trials, our criminal law team defends clients facing charges of criminal conduct laid by the police as well as government departments such as the Inland Revenue Department and Ministry for Primary Industries, and entities such as the SPCA. We also defend clients in cases involving regulatory charges and professional tribunals.
As well as providing criminal defence services, we have senior lawyers with extensive experience in prosecution work. Our team can represent government entities prosecuting cases involving resource management or regulatory charges.
We provide legal advice on:
Representation at each stage of the process
- Bail
- Interviews and statements
- Representation in the District Court, High Court, appeal courts and specialist courts and tribunals
- Sentencing
- Parole board hearings
- Legal aid
Regulatory charges and professional tribunals
- Prosecutions under the Resource Management Act and other legislation
- Representation in professional tribunals
Common questions
Do your criminal lawyers take legal aid cases?
Yes. Members of our criminal team, including Matthew Ridgley and Sharlene Pilkington, act for clients both privately and on legal aid. Talk to our team about your situation.
Which courts do you appear in?
We represent clients in the District Court, High Court, appeal courts, and specialist courts and tribunals. Our lawyers regularly appear in the Whangārei District Court, including in jury trials, and have represented clients in the High Court and Court of Appeal. We also act at Parole Board hearings.
Can you help before I’ve been charged – for example, with a police interview?
Yes. We represent clients at each stage of the process – interviews and statements, bail, court appearances, sentencing and Parole Board hearings. If you’ve been asked to give a statement or attend an interview, talk to our team.
Do you only defend charges laid by the police?
No. As well as police charges, we defend clients facing charges brought by government departments such as Inland Revenue and the Ministry for Primary Industries, and by organisations such as the SPCA. We also act on regulatory charges – including prosecutions under the Resource Management Act – and represent people before professional tribunals.
Can a company director or CEO be prosecuted personally for health and safety failures?
Yes. Our article on the former Port of Auckland CEO’s appeal describes how a chief executive was convicted under the Health and Safety at Work Act 2015 after a worker’s death, and the High Court upheld a $130,000 fine. The court confirmed that officers must check how work is actually done and can’t simply delegate their health and safety duties. If you’re facing a regulatory prosecution, talk to our team.
Our specialists: Arthur Fairley, Matthew Ridgley, Sharlene Pilkington and Jackson Kingi.
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This page is general information, not legal advice. For advice on your situation, call us on (09) 430 4380 or get in touch.
