The Best Criminal
The Fastest way to Find Auckland’s Best Criminal Lawyers.
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The 10 Best Criminal
Lawyers In Auckland
We Have Listed The Top 10 Criminal Lawyer In Auckland To Help You Choose The Best Professional Criminal Lawyer For Your Needs.
Address:
Cathedral House, Level 3, 48-52 Wyndham Street, Auckland
Phone: +64 27 628 24 11
Mobile: +64 27 242 7734
Website: https://www.mataichambers.com/
Quentin Duff – Barrister
Facing serious criminal charges is one of the most difficult experiences a person can go through. The Crown has resources, investigators, and time. You need a criminal lawyer who has spent a career successfully standing between the Crown and you.
Trial-hardened advocacy. More than 100 jury trials means Quentin has faced virtually every scenario a courtroom can produce. He knows how juries think, how witnesses break down under pressure, and how to find if there are weaknesses in the Crown’s case.
Appellate experience that matters. Having appeared in the High Court, Court of Appeal, and Supreme Court, Quentin understands how legal arguments develop from trial through to the highest court. That perspective shapes how he prepares every case from day one.
A team behind you. Quentin established Mātai Chambers with Gowan Duff, now one of Auckland’s leading criminal barristers’ chambers. His team of employed barristers supports clients from bail applications through trial and appeal. When you need someone, someone is available. Whether you are facing criminal charges for the first time or have been through the system before, Quentin understands one thing: to you, this case is everything. He brings the same detailed preparation and unwavering commitment to every client he represents.
Address:
Sentinel Chambers, 62 Victoria Street West, Auckland , New Zealand
Website: https://maxwellscott.co.nz/
Annabel Maxwell Scott
Experienced, Professional, Compassionate
Annabel has worked as a criminal barrister for 28 years, practising firstly in England and then from 2010 in Auckland. She has prosecuted and defended serious crimes throughout that time and conducted well over 300 jury trials.
Annabel has been lead counsel in a vast array of criminal cases, from murder, sexual and violent offending, through to large-scale drug and fraud matters.
Annabel has been lead counsel in a vast array of criminal cases, from murder, sexual and violent offending, through to large-scale drug and fraud matters.
Annabel regularly appears in the Appellate courts and advises on the prospects of appeals against conviction and sentence. She also conducts proceeds of crime proceedings. Annabel is a panel prosecutor for the Crown Solicitor, Manukau and Northland.
Between 2020 and 2022 Annabel was the Deputy Solicitor-General of the Cook Islands.
Annabel has a very easy-going and compassionate manner. She is a very experienced and accomplished advocate who will give her clients great service, legal skill and the benefit of a highly persuasive courtroom manner.
Annabel will take on private clients and legally aided ones. You will receive the same excellent care and hard work either way.
Address:
Level 4, 62 Victoria Street West
Auckland Central 1010
Phone: 021 686 763
Website: criminallawyersnz.co.nz
John Munro Barrister
An accomplished criminal lawyer based in Auckland, John is highly skilled and experienced in criminal cases of many kinds. His career has spanned two decades and included work in both New Zealand and the United Kingdom: as a criminal defense and civil lawyer in New Plymouth, as a crown prosecutor in Rotorua, and a significant period honing his skills as a solicitor in one of London’s most highly-regarded criminal defense firms. Upon return to New Zealand, John established Sentinel Chambers in Victoria Street. This is now a leading criminal defense chambers, home to a highly qualified group of Auckland barristers.
John’s experience as a criminal defense lawyer covers a very wide array of cases in varied areas of law including sexual cases, drugs cases, violence cases, and more—you can find out more about this by looking at his expertise. Whatever the case may be, he takes a meticulous, measured, and pragmatic approach that’s geared at achieving the best outcome for a client.
On a personal level, John’s heritage includes Scottish, Croatian, and Māori (Ngāpuhi and Ngātiwai) ancestry. He enjoys swimming; before devoting most of his time to criminal law he reached a top 20 international ranking in the 400 individual medley event, representing New Zealand. Through swimming, he attended university in the United States on a full scholarship. Reaching a high level in any sport requires dedication, perseverance, and plain hard work—all attributes that John has carried into his legal career.
Address:
Premier Building Level 4/2 Durham Street East, Auckland CBD, Auckland 1010, New Zealand
Phone: 021 635 053
Website: criminallawyers.co.nz
Criminal Lawyers Durham St Chambers
The criminal lawyers at Durham Street Chambers understand what it’s like to have a serious legal matter on your mind. A short discussion with one of our top legal barristers can give you the peace of mind you need. Our criminal lawyers have more than 70 years’ combined legal experience, specialising in all aspects of criminal law. We value and respect our clients, who can expect a cost-effective, professional representation aiming to achieve the best possible results.
The barristers at Durham Street Chambers receive and manage their own instructions so please contact them directly using the details provided on their individual pages. An instructing solicitor may be required.
Covering all areas of criminal law from Police Station attendances, Court appearances, bail applications, Judge Alone and jury trials, sentencing, discharges without conviction and appeals. Our team has vast experience in the District Court, High Court and Court of Appeal. See how we can help you today.
A conviction can have catastrophic, life-long consequences for employment, travel and immigration permits. Our team has obtained discharges without conviction for their clients on a wide array of criminal offences including drug dealing, offences involving violence and alcohol-related driving.
Have you lost your licence or caused a major car accident? Are you facing a charge involving the use of a motor vehicle? Do you need a limited licence for work? We have the experts in traffic law who know how to get results, no matter how serious the problem.
Are the Police applying to restrain and forfeit your property? Our team of lawyers has a proven track record in defending such applications, preventing significant financial loss and forfeiture of houses, cash and other assets.
Address:
Level 10 Federal Chambers
16 Kingston Street, Auckland
Phone: 09 309 9848
Website: graemenewell.co.nz
Graeme Newell Barrister
Graeme Newell is an independent criminal defence lawyer based in Auckland. Since being admitted to the bar in 1988, Graeme Newell has successfully defended numerous clients in the District Courts and the High Court of New Zealand for a full spectrum of offences.
According to a straw poll conducted by the New Zealand Herald, Graeme Newell is one of the most highly regarded defence lawyers in Auckland.
Dedicated criminal defence lawyer for serious or minor offences, who will travel New Zealand wide to represent you.
Graeme Newell is an experienced criminal defence attorney offering his services in Auckland, Wellington and around NZ. He has achieved hundreds of ‘not guilty’ verdicts and many more successful outcomes for his clients facing serious charges. Whilst Graeme Newell is based in Auckland, he has accepted instructions for clients in Wellington, Christchurch, Dunedin, as well as in smaller regions. In each case, the trial is conducted by Graeme Newell personally.
Graeme accepts private instructions through a Solicitor, but will act as your criminal defence lawyer on serious matters on legal aid in Auckland if necessary.
Address:
Level 9, Southern Cross Building 59 – 67 High Street Auckland 1010
Phone: 09 304 2888
Website: stevenlack.co.nz
Steven Lack Barrister
Steven is a well-respected specialist in Criminal defence. He is regularly instructed to act for clients facing allegations of serious crime, including Serious Drug Offending, Fraud Offending, Human Trafficking and Murder/Manslaughter offences. He has appeared, and is available for instruction, across all Courts in New Zealand. Steven has a reputation amongst clients and other lawyers for his work-ethic and meticulous preparation to ensure that he can achieve the best result possible for you. He is an effective and persuasive advocate in Court.
AREAS OF PRACTICE
– Criminal Law
– Appeals
– Criminal Proceeds
– Regulatory Prosecutions (WorkSafe NZ, Customs etc);
– Medico-Legal
– Coronial Inquests.
Steven regularly appears for clients seeking bail in both the District Court and the High Court in relation to all manner of charges. Steven will ensure that the Court is fully informed of all relevant matters including preparing and submitting evidence to the Court when necessary to secure bail. You can be assured that Steven will forcefully and skilfully advance an application for bail on your behalf.
Steven is an effective and formidable Trial lawyer. Steven has been involved in a number of high profile and serious Trials for clients charged with a range of alleged offending including, Serious Drug Offending, Human Trafficking and Murder. Steven is available to accept private instructions and in certain cases he will accept instructions on Legal Aid.
Steven is a very capable appellate lawyer. He will be meticulous in his review of your case and can identify whether there are grounds of appeal that can be advanced and he will provide you with honest advice. Steven has appeared as Counsel in the Court of Appeal and Supreme Court and is available to accept private instructions and instructions on Legal Aid for all appeals.
Steven has experience in dealing with proceedings in the High Court relating to the restraint of or forfeiture of property said to be the proceeds of crime. It can be very stressful to find yourself in a position where your finances and assets are restrained by the authorities. Steven can provide you with pragmatic and effective advice to ensure that a solution is reached for you moving forward.
Steven can utilise a team of experts, whom he works regularly with, to assist your defence including forensic scientists, private investigators, psychiatrists, interpreters and other specialists.
Address:
2/10 O’Connell Street, Auckland CBD, 1010
PO Box 184, Shortland Street, Auckland 1140
Phone: 027 545 9033
Website: highstreetlaw.co.nz
High Street Law
At High Street Law we are a modern and diverse team of experienced professionals who specialise in Criminal Law and other niche areas of litigation and negotiation. Our experienced team members all bring different sets of skills and expertise with a range of different backgrounds and careers to form one of Auckland’s leading Criminal Law chambers. We are highly accomplished and achieve results for our clients by vigorously advocating for their position and rights.
The team at High Street Law understands that achieving the best outcome possible will be your goal. We are committed to working with our clients to achieve this aim; as such we offer representation and advice which is personally structured with your needs in mind. Our commitment to you and your case will be evident right from the start through to the eventual resolution of whatever situation you find yourself facing. We understand that you are placing your trust and confidence in us; that is something we consider a privilege that imposes an obligation on us to deliver the best possible representation and outcomes. Positive results are what we aim to deliver; we look forward to achieving that for you.
Karl Trotter
Auckland-based criminal defence lawyer Karl Trotter is dedicated to securing the best outcome for his clients
I graduated from law school back in 1983, and was admitted to the Bar the following year. After a career involving corporate and commercial law, I have, for more than 20 years, specialised as a criminal law lawyer in Auckland. I am a member of the New Zealand Law Society and Auckland District Law Society, and associated with the New Zealand Bar Association as well as the New Zealand Criminal Bar Association.
My aim is to defend each client to the best of my abilities, offering a low profile approach to representation that focuses on the case.
Practising from Federal Chambers with three other criminal law barristers, opposite the Auckland District Court, puts me in a great position to represent clients at any of the Auckland courts including Auckland, Waitakere, North Shore (Albany), Papakura and Manukau District Courts, as well as the Auckland High Court and Court of Appeal.
Specialising in criminal law, I do not accept instructions in the area of contract law, family law or other specialities.
I can represent clients in a range of criminal cases including:
– Homicide – murder and manslaughter
– Robbery and aggravated robbery
– Sexual offences including rape and sexual harassment
– Drugs charges including possession for supply and drug dealing
– Assault and aggravated assault
– Driving charges including drink driving and careless driving
– Financial crimes including fraud and tax offences
– Fisheries or customs offences
– And other matters
I can also advise on making statements to the police and offers assistance at police interviews, whether at the police stations or the airport. Should it be necessary, Karl can appear in court at bail hearings, or to defend any criminal charges.
Address:
Pohutukawa Chambers (23 Victoria Street East, Auckland Central, Auckland 1010)
Website: https://samgallerlaw.co.nz
Sam Galler Barrister
Sam Galler is a well respected criminal defence lawyer, based in Auckland.
He started his career as a fraud prosecutor for the MSD, before quickly transitioning to criminal defence, which he has practiced in ever since.
Sam is passionate about criminal defence and cares about his clients and their futures. He has been recognised by peers, clients and the judiciary as a diligent and effective advocate for his clients. He prides himself on his attention to detail and unwavering belief in the right to equal justice and effective representation for all – no matter who you are or what you are accused of.
He works incredibly hard to secure an outcome that is best for his clients, their family and their future prospects.
He has successfully defended allegations of dishonesty, traffic, fraud, violence, drug & sexual offending. He also has a particular interest in appeals, having conducted numerous appeals in the High Court and Court of Appeal relating to conviction, sentence, discharge without conviction and pre-trial matters.
Sam regularly instructs experts and private investigators in his cases to ensure that no stone is left unturned in defending his clients, in order to create a level playing field against the Crown / New Zealand Police and their vast resources.
Sam holds a PAL3 listing for criminal legal aid matters as well as a Court of Appeal/Supreme Court listing. He is also available for private instruction if you do not qualify for legal aid.
Whilst based in Auckland, he is available for instruction anywhere in New Zealand.
Address:
Sentinel Chambers, Level 4, 62 Victoria Street West, Auckland 1010
Phone: 09 390 0095
Website: brookielaw.co.nz
Ian Brookie Barrister
Ian Brookie is a barrister with over 20 years of legal experience and proven performance across a broad range of legal practice areas.
Ian specialises in criminal law cases and acts for clients from all walks of life who find themselves facing charges in Court.
Ian is an independent courtroom specialist who focusses solely on achieving the best result for his clients.
His experience in acting in serious and high-profile criminal cases means that he has the skills to help, whatever the case.
Ian is no “one man band” – he has a team of two other barristers (called “juniors”) who work solely for him. This is to make sure that Ian’s team can meet the demands of servicing all clients – especially if matters arise for clients that need to be dealt with urgently – such as an arrest. It also helps ensure cost efficiencies when working on client files because Ian’s juniors will do work that is appropriate to their level. Any difficult and/or high profile matters will usually be handled by Ian personally.
Ian and his team can provide sound advice on any case, from traffic and discharge without conviction cases all the way through to serious sexual, violence or drugs charges and including murder/manslaughter.
Ian has a solid ten years’ experience at the private bar and has defended many cases in that time, in all levels of our Courts.
Ian began his legal career in 2001 as a solicitor for a large Auckland firm.
In 2003, Ian joined the office of the Crown Solicitor in Auckland – Meredith Connell. While a Crown prosecutor, Ian prosecuted a wide array of cases and jury trials on behalf of the Crown, the Police and other Government entities in both the District and High Courts.
In 2013, Ian went to the private bar and became a ‘barrister’.
Give Ian’s team a call now. They can help.