If you find yourself dealing with a criminal offence, it is important to ask for the services of an experienced criminal lawyer in Auckland from our law firm in New Zealand. We will ensure that your rights are protected throughout the legal proceedings and that you are treated fairly, respecting the proper legal procedures.
When is a criminal lawyer needed?
Our criminal lawyers in NZ can assist individuals facing criminal charges across the spectrum of severity. Some of the cases we typically handle include assault & battery, theft and property crimes, DUI, domestic violence, police investigations, bail hearings, and financial or drug offenses.
The most serious criminal offenses that can lead to imprisonment in New Zealand are listed in the Crimes Act 1961 and its updates. There are also laws in place for specific situations, such as the Misuse of Drugs Act 1975 for drug-related offenses.
By working with a skilled criminal lawyer in Auckland, there is a possibility that your charges could be dismissed, withdrawn, or reduced, potentially avoiding the need for a trial altogether. In the event of a trial, your lawyer will prepare and manage everything on your behalf. If there is a conviction, your lawyer will work to secure the most favorable sentence available, considering the circumstances of your case.
You can also contact our team of lawyers in New Zealand working in other parts of the country as well, such as our criminal lawyers in Christchurch.
If you require different types of services, such as those for companies in NZ, our accountants in New Zealand offer competitive packages according to business type and size.
Our lawyers in New Zealand can also assist individuals interested in buying a property in New Zealand, especially with guidance on obtaining special consent from the Overseas Investment Office for non-residents who wish to buy or build a house in NZ.
Main types of criminal law offences
Individuals can be accused of many different types of offences, and working with a criminal lawyer in Auckland from our team is advisable in all such cases. The New Zealand Ministry of Justice lists the following categories for criminal law offences:
- offences against the person: assault, murder, manslaughter, but also family and sexual violence;
- property offences: burglary, motor vehicle theft, arson, vandalism, and others;
- drug offences: the possession, supply, or import of illegal drugs.
You may also find yourself in a different situation, one in which you need legal representation from our criminal lawyers in Christchurch for other offences, such as:
- financial offences: money laundering, tax evasion, fraud and serious fraud, embezzlement, forgery, identity theft, terrorism financing; our New Zealand lawyers can give you more details upon request about the relevant anti-money laundering laws applicable in the country;
- technology offences: broadly speaking, these are those types of offences that are aided by the use of technology (such as the use or ransomware, spyware, trojan or worm viruses, and others that can be classified as cybercrime);
- other types of offences such as regulatory ones, infringement, and other public order offences.
Working with one of the best criminal lawyers in Auckland is comforting for many individuals who have been accused of a crime. Our team strives to provide legal solutions that will help clear our client’s name, at the same time offering the most reliable defence possible.
If you wish to know more about the services offered by our law firm in New Zealand, we encourage you to reach out to us as early as possible. Some cases can be solved pre-charge, and, in any case, our lawyers will be able to give you more details about your rights.
Defense preparation and representation
In the initial consultation process, our criminal lawyers in NZ evaluate the case, assess the evidence, identify legal issues, and develop a defense strategy tailored to the client’s situation.
Our lawyers in NZ will construct a “theory of defense” that represents the client’s perspective and addresses potential questions or doubts raised by the prosecution during trial.
Our criminal lawyers in Auckland, as well as those from other parts of New Zealand, often enlist the help of external consultants to strengthen their cases. Expert witnesses, such as forensic scientists or psychologists, provide specialized knowledge and testify on the client’s behalf. Trial consultants with backgrounds in fields like psychology or communications assist with strategy development and create effective trial presentations. Additionally, jury consultants aid in selecting the most favorable jurors for the case.
By utilizing the expertise of these consultants, our attorneys in New Zealand enhance their defense strategies and increase the likelihood of achieving positive outcomes.
Negotiation and plea bargaining
Our criminal lawyers in Hamilton, and in NZ in general, can negotiate with the prosecution for potential plea bargains or reduced charges. The purpose is to find a resolution that is more favorable to the accused person than going to trial and potentially facing more severe consequences.
Persons accused of a crime can plead guilty, not guilty, or give a special reason why the charges shouldn’t apply to them. The court will then consider their plea and make decisions accordingly.
Our criminal lawyers in NZ can assist you by providing guidance, negotiating plea deals, evaluating your case, and presenting effective arguments during the plea process.
Here are some key statistics from the Crime and Justice Report regarding court charges and outcomes:
- There were 175,294 charges filed against adults for criminal offenses in 2022;
- Out of those, 125,149 were convicted;
- 42,333 were not proved;
- There were 60,059 serious offenses charges filed in 2022.
Criminal legal aid in New Zealand
Legal aid is available in New Zealand for criminal cases when the individual is charged with an offence punishable by imprisonment (of six months or more), when the individual appeals the conviction, or when the person appears before the parole board (only in some cases).
Working with a criminal defence lawyer in NZ is always advisable, however, when this is unavailable to the offender due to financial constraints, legal aid may be an option.
For this to be possible, the individual will undergo an assessment of his/her income and assets. Some of the elements taken into account for this assessment are income before tax, the value of one’s assets (real estate property, vehicles, etc.), the number of financially dependent children, and the partner’s assets (if applicable).
The lawyer who will represent the client who applies for criminal legal aid in NZ will oftentimes be chosen by the authorities. However, in serious cases, may choose his or her own criminal defence lawyer in NZ. For these serious cases (when the individual faces ten years or more of imprisonment), the lawyer will need to be an approved legal aid provider.
Facing an arrest for a criminal offence is an agonizing experience. Immediately seeking legal representation and counsel is not only advisable, but also needed for an easy understanding of their case, how to best respond in such troublesome times, and the chances of the respective criminal offence not being pursued.
We offer solutions not only for individuals who have just been accused of a criminal offence, but also those who are looking for solutions to appeal a conviction or sentence for a criminal offence.
If you are seeking a criminal lawyer in Auckland to represent your case, please contact as soon as possible our New Zealand law firm. We operate in other parts of New Zealand as well, so feel free to contact our criminal lawyers in Hamilton and criminal lawyers in Christchurch