The Best Criminal
Lawyers In Hamilton

Mark Jepson Law

Mark is a barrister practicing on his own account with a team of employed barristers operating out of Thackeray Chambers situated at 26 Thackeray Street in Hamilton City. Mark began his career working at a civil litigation firm but the unique opportunity to work with Philip Morgan KC at Thackeray Chambers arose, where he transitioned into criminal law. Although no longer working for Philip Morgan KC, they continue to share chambers.

Thackeray Chambers was founded in 1998 by the late Alan Hassall QC, and is the largest set in the Waikato/Bay of Plenty. Members of Chambers are experts in a range of areas, including civil, commercial, criminal, employment, and family disputes. Chambers is located in purpose built premises, within walking distance of the High and District Courts. The Chambers website can be found here.

Mark’s current case load includes all matters of crime, civil litigation, traffic, and relationship property. Mark is a Category 1, 2 & 3 legal aid provider dealing with all matters except for life imprisonment and preventative detention.

Philip Morgan KC’s current criminal case load, which Mark is assisting on, includes matters primarily focused on dishonesty offending (theft in a special relationship, Inland Revenue offending including tax or GST evasion and fraud), drugs (possession, supply and manufacture/cultivation), sexual misconduct (indecent assault, unlawful sexual connection and sexual violation including rape), violence (assault, assault on a person in a family relationship, injuring and GBH) and murder/manslaughter.

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Bean Law

Bean Law is a boutique law firm specialising in litigation in a range of matters. We can manage your case through what can be an otherwise stressful and adversarial process. We appear regularly in the District Court, Family Court, Parole Board, High Court and Court of Appeal in defence of our client’s rights and liberty.

Bean Law specialise in litigation. Whether you need representation in the Family Court, District Court or higher, you have come to the right place.

If your case requires it, we will take care of the hiring of Private Investigators or liaise with forensic experts on your behalf to obtain the best possible outcome for you.

Having experienced lawyers can dramatically affect the outcome of your case. Bean Law offers a comprehensive criminal and family law service. Contact us today for a free consultation.

Areas of expertise

– Murder/Manslaughter
– Rape / Sexual Assaults
– Serious Drug Offences
– Protection Orders
– Care and Contact
– Parenting Orders
– Environment Prosecutions
– Traffic Law
– Animal Prosecutions
– Parole Board
– Conviction Appeals
– Drink Driving

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Kaleb Whyte

Beginning my career as a civil litigator, I later transitioned to the Crown where I prosecuted serious crime and handled cases for the Commissioner of Police, Ministry of Health, and Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment.

Over the course of my five-year tenure as a Crown prosecutor, I conducted numerous hearings in both the District and High Courts, including lengthy, multi-defendant jury trials.

With a wealth of experience in both civil and criminal litigation, I am well-equipped to handle a broad range of legal matters. As a former prosecutor, I am adept at identifying weaknesses in the prosecution’s case, such as inconsistencies or gaps in evidence. Moreover, my experience has given me an understanding of the criminal justice system and how it operates, which I can use to navigate the complexities of the legal process and ensure my clients receive a fair and just trial.

Whether representing clients in civil disputes or defending them against criminal charges, I work tirelessly to provide high-quality legal representation while advocating for my clients’ rights throughout the legal process.

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Rob Quin Barrister

Rob has been a lawyer in Hamilton since 2005

He specialises in criminal and traffic law. He has an excellent record of obtaining the best possible outcomes for clients appearing in Court on a wide range of charges.

Rob appears regularly in the Hamilton, Morrinsville, Huntly and Te Awamutu Courts. He acts on a wide range of traffic matters including drink driving (EBA, DIC), careless or dangerous driving, wheel spinning, driving while disqualified, speeding and limited licence applications. Rob has assisted a number of clients in successfully defending traffic charges, avoiding losing their drivers licence and obtaining discharges without conviction or work licences.

Rob acts on a variety of criminal matters including assault, theft, fraud and drug charges. He is experienced in negotiating with police to reduce or withdraw charges, obtaining diversion and discharges without conviction. He has an excellent record of getting bail for his clients, defending charges and getting the best possible sentencing outcomes.

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Truc Tran Barrister

Truc joined the Independent Bar as a Barrister sole in September 2018 with a wealth of experience as a trial lawyer in both criminal and civil litigation. Truc has significant experience in jury trials and advocacy in the District Court, High Court and Court of Appeal.
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Truc is a former Crown Prosecutor. During his time at the Crown Solicitor’s Office, Truc prosecuted serious crime in the Waikato and Manawatu regions. Truc has conducted over 100 criminal trials and appeals on behalf of the Crown, Government entities and Departments, in cases ranging from fraud, serious violent offending, sexual offending, drug offending and attempted murder.

Truc also has expertise in the areas of commercial and civil litigation, securities and company law, insolvency, and employment law. Truc was one of the first litigators who joined the Financial Markets Authority upon establishment. During his time there, Truc managed the litigation of financial and securities fraud cases, including the first market manipulation case in New Zealand.
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Truc is available to accept private instructions through an instructing Solicitor. If you do not have an instructing Solicitor, Truc can assist you to arrange for one. Please contact Truc in the first instance.

For those who are eligible for Legal Aid, Truc’s extensive experience across a full spectrum of criminal cases means that he is approved for all categories (Provider Approval Levels 1- 4).

If a Legal Aid client is charged with a criminal offence attracting more than 10 years and/or up to life imprisonment, they can choose Truc to act for them. They can simply put Truc’s details down as preferred Counsel on their Legal Aid application form.

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Laybourn Law

Roger Laybourn has been practising as a litigation lawyer for over 30 years. He is considered to be a senior and very experienced defence lawyer.

He has considerable experience at all levels of defence work including District Court, High Court and Court of Appeal jurisdictions.

He has been involved in numerous high profile and difficult cases with a very high success rate. Here is a collection of some of his most difficult cases.

Roger Laybourn also has a long record of helping clients with cases that may not be high profile but are of great concern and importance to his clients.

His commitment in Law has always been to help those in need.

“When I graduated all those years ago, it appeared that my options in a law career were either to make rich people richer or act to for people in need. I have never regretted my choice to act for those in need, despite the obstacles they may face”.

Roger has a long record of helping good people that are suddenly faced by a crisis that brings them before the Courts. This may be any member of a good family.

The processes of Police investigation and Court proceedings can be very frightening and full of potential hazards. Such areas are “Roger’s playground” and his early involvement can avoid serious mistakes.

“I don’t believe everyone brought to Court is automatically a criminal. I believe in justice and a motivated defence lawyer is critical to maintaining a democracy. That is why I have never prosecuted a case. I am 100% Defence.”

Roger Laybourn is absolutely committed to protecting his client’s interests. Clients need a determined and courageous advocate who will never be intimidated by the Court or the prosecution agencies.

“My role is clear cut. My absolute obligation to is protect and advance my client’s interests in a proper and ethical manner”

Roger also is Head of Chambers of a group of Defence Lawyers who provide a wide pool of experience and expertise.

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McKenna King

We are a specialist law firm in four areas of law – Criminal & Civil Litigation, Equine Law, and Immigration Law. While we are a young firm, our founders boasts a proud heritage in the legal and equine industry within the Waikato region and across New Zealand.

Given our expertise, most of our clients outside of our own network are referred from fellow professionals in the legal, accounting, and financial industries. Our point of difference is practical and specialist advice that can be tailored to our clients’ individual best interests.

In our Civil Litigation practice, we act for clients in a broad range of disputes in the lead up to, and during, court proceedings. We act in contractual disputes including debt enforcement, commercial lease and guarantee issues, employment matters, as well as estate and relationship property disputes.

Our Equine Law practice is a niche practice area given the long-standing involvement of our directors Scott McKenna and Fraser King with horses and the equine industry. We act in equine and commercial disputes, contracts, and advice for specialist equine industry clients.

Our Criminal Litigation practice involves criminal defence advocacy in judge alone and jury trials. We also act in appeals. Further, we represent clients in statutory prosecution defences and limited (work) driver license applications.

Finally, our Immigration Law practice endeavours to assist the migrant community whether it is advising on visa options, liaising with Immigration New Zealand, or making appeals to the Immigration & Protection Tribunal.

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Hayley Carson Law

Welcome to Hayley Carson Barrister

I was admitted as a Barrister and Solicitor in 2011. Prior to this I worked for the Ministry of Justice in the criminal section which sparked my passion for law. I started my career in Tauranga before moving home to Hamilton in the Waikato. During this time I worked for the Public Defence Service which is the biggest criminal law firm in New Zealand. I am now a Barrister Sole and have been working for myself since 2016.

I will work with you to obtain the best outcome available. We will discuss your options so that you can make an informed decision. Having input into your case will empower you to make the best decision for you. I will listen to you and do the best I can to advocate for you. I can be engaged on a private basis or through legal aid.

I look forward to hearing from you.

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Mark Sturm Barrister

Mark is a criminal defence lawyer who has extensive experience in all aspects of criminal law. While Mark has practiced at the top end of the criminal law spectrum for many years, and has conducted well over 400 jury trials as lead counsel, he also has acted for many clients who face much less serious charges.

Mark has appeared as lead counsel in trials involving allegations of murder, rape, all other types of alleged sexual offending, drugs including both large scale dealing operations as well as simple possession cases, arson, wounding and assaults, burglary, theft, receiving and other frauds, and driving and traffic charges, including ones involving death. Mark also regularly acts in cases where police diversion is sought or discharges without conviction are sought from the court.

Mark has conducted countless other associated criminal hearings as lead counsel including bail applications, search warrant challenges, sentencing hearings, applications for work or limited driving licences, appeals, parole hearings and applications for name suppression.

Mark is one of the most experienced criminal defence lawyers in the Waikato and has offices located conveniently near Hamilton’s court house complex with ample off street parking.

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