Recent News
STAFF NEWS
We advise that after close to 5 years working at Goodwin Law, Ciara Chester-Cronin has left the practice, effective from 4 April 2025. We wish her all the best with her future endeavours.
We are pleased to announce that Ciara will be replaced by another successful criminal lawyer, who commences on 12 April (details to be announced shortly). Our law clerk Spencer Wells, who has worked for the practice for 3 years, moves into a fulltime role as a junior following his admission to the Bar on 23 May.
ANOTHER NEW TESTIMONIAL: MATT GOODWIN
“I would like to thank you Matt for everything over the last 3.5 years. It definitely was a long and hard process but I am very satisfied with his work. From the beginning my matter was full of emotions and lots of patience from Matt’s end and that showed for the duration of my case – it helped me know that I was in good hands and that he tried his best, right to the end. I do have some regrets from my end however, I accept my sentence and know that there was nothing else we could do so for that I am thankful. I wish Matt the best and hope to see him soon!”
ML
DISCHARGE WITHOUT CONVICTION – DRINK DRIVING
BT was charged with driving with excess breath alcohol. BT was assisted by Ciara and pleaded guilty early in the proceedings and applied for a discharge without conviction.
The incident occurred after BT made the erroneous decision to drive after celebrating her university graduation with friends, going to bed and sleeping for a number of hours before waking up early in the morning to leave the address. When stopped by Police, BT returned an alcohol-breath reading of 662 mcgs.
At sentencing Ciara outlined for the judge how BT had a difficult past which she had overcome to obtain a degree as a healthcare professional. However, the impact of a conviction would stymie the progression of her career, which was only at an early stage and BT had completed various courses to make amends for her actions.
The application was successful and a discharge without conviction was granted.
SENTENCING AT WELLINGTON DISTIRCT COURT – CLASS A, B & C DRUGS: IMPORTATION, POSSESSION FOR SUPPLY, AND CONSPIRACY TO SUPPLY
BR was represented by Matt and Ciara and pleaded guilty to 8 charges involving importation, possession for supply and conspiracy to supply class A, B and C drugs. BR had been arrested as part of Operation Skipjack, a major investigation into the importation of illegal drugs in the Wellington region. BR had earlier faced 98 charges
At sentencing in the Wellington District Court, the Crown sought an overall starting point of 15 – 16 years imprisonment.
However, Matt sought discounts for a raft of mitigating factors including BR’s guilty plea, remorse, factors relating to his upbringing, addiction and rehabilitative efforts at Red Door Rehabilitation Facility, time on bail and lack of previous convictions.
His Honour Judge Hobbs acknowledged these factors in his decision and provided a discount of 70%. This resulted in an end sentence for BR of 3 years and 7 months imprisonment, an exceptional result.
STAFF NEWS
We advise that after close to 5 years working at Goodwin Law, Ciara Chester-Cronin has left the practice, effective from 4 April 2025. We wish her all the best with her future endeavours.
We are pleased to announce that Ciara will be replaced by another successful criminal lawyer, who commences on 12 April (details to be announced shortly). Our law clerk Spencer Wells, who has worked for the practice for 3 years, moves into a fulltime role as a junior following his admission to the Bar on 23 May.
ANOTHER NEW TESTIMONIAL: MATT GOODWIN
“I would like to thank you Matt for everything over the last 3.5 years. It definitely was a long and hard process but I am very satisfied with his work. From the beginning my matter was full of emotions and lots of patience from Matt’s end and that showed for the duration of my case – it helped me know that I was in good hands and that he tried his best, right to the end. I do have some regrets from my end however, I accept my sentence and know that there was nothing else we could do so for that I am thankful. I wish Matt the best and hope to see him soon!”
ML
DISCHARGE WITHOUT CONVICTION – DRINK DRIVING
BT was charged with driving with excess breath alcohol. BT was assisted by Ciara and pleaded guilty early in the proceedings and applied for a discharge without conviction.
The incident occurred after BT made the erroneous decision to drive after celebrating her university graduation with friends, going to bed and sleeping for a number of hours before waking up early in the morning to leave the address. When stopped by Police, BT returned an alcohol-breath reading of 662 mcgs.
At sentencing Ciara outlined for the judge how BT had a difficult past which she had overcome to obtain a degree as a healthcare professional. However, the impact of a conviction would stymie the progression of her career, which was only at an early stage and BT had completed various courses to make amends for her actions.
The application was successful and a discharge without conviction was granted.
SENTENCING AT WELLINGTON DISTIRCT COURT – CLASS A, B & C DRUGS: IMPORTATION, POSSESSION FOR SUPPLY, AND CONSPIRACY TO SUPPLY
BR was represented by Matt and Ciara and pleaded guilty to 8 charges involving importation, possession for supply and conspiracy to supply class A, B and C drugs. BR had been arrested as part of Operation Skipjack, a major investigation into the importation of illegal drugs in the Wellington region. BR had earlier faced 98 charges
At sentencing in the Wellington District Court, the Crown sought an overall starting point of 15 – 16 years imprisonment.
However, Matt sought discounts for a raft of mitigating factors including BR’s guilty plea, remorse, factors relating to his upbringing, addiction and rehabilitative efforts at Red Door Rehabilitation Facility, time on bail and lack of previous convictions.
His Honour Judge Hobbs acknowledged these factors in his decision and provided a discount of 70%. This resulted in an end sentence for BR of 3 years and 7 months imprisonment, an exceptional result.
DISCHARGE WITHOUT CONVICTION – DRINK DRIVING
GJ was charged with driving with excess breath alcohol. She was assisted by Ciara, pleaded guilty early in the proceedings and applied for a discharge without conviction.
At sentencing, Ciara argued the impact of a conviction on GJ would be out of all proportion to the gravity of the offence. On the day of the incident, GJ was responding to a distressed call from a family member, was stopped by Police and returned an alcohol-breath reading of 584 mcg.
The impact of a conviction on GJ was that she and her family would lose a critical source of income. GJ had also engaged with various courses and completed community work to atone for the wrongdoing.
The matter was opposed by Police Prosecutions but GJ’s application was successful and a discharge without conviction was granted.
APPLICATION FOR BAIL – NGA KETE WHANGA SOLUTIONS
LC applied for electronically monitored (EM) bail to the rehabilitation centre Nga Kete Whanga Solutions.
The application was fiercely resisted by the Crown and Police due to concerns with the operation of the facility, which predated a change in management. The Crown filed a 9 page opposition to bail and the application was dealt with across four bail hearings.
During the hearing, Matt outlined for the judge how the facility now operated similarly to other rehabilitation facilities and additional security mechanisms had been installed by the CEO to comply with requests from Police. The facility also offers full-time supervision by staff, who reside on site for assistance – both for residents and to assist Police with bail checks.
At the final hearing, Matt was successful and LC was granted EM Bail to the address for rehabilitative purposes. The decision is now being used by other counsel as a precedent to assist their clients with getting bail to the address.
Media
FMA criticised for delayed investment scam warning after retiree loses $1m
The Financial Markets Authority (FMA) has been criticised for their delayed response in issuing scam warnings. This is in connection to the $1 million lost by the scam victim in the case handled by Matt Goodwin below, meaning that the FMA are suggested to have contributed to the success of the scam. In trial, Matt said the case should be a ‘wake up call’ for the FMA. Read full article here.
Auckland businessman found guilty of money laundering in connection with $2m investment scam
A professional Auckland businessman has been found guilty of money laundering after he opened a Westpac account, received nearly $2 million from two scam victims, then funnelled their life savings overseas. Lead defence counsel Matthew Goodwin said his client was “foolish” rather than reckless. Read full article here.
Auckland construction and oil industry figures charged in steel beam meth bust
Auckland Construction and oil industry professionals are among those accused of smuggling more than 500kg of methamphetamine into the country hidden in steel beams..
At Auckland District Court, Matt Goodwin made a successful application for bail for his client. Read full article here.
Murder trial begins: Mitchell Te Kani allegedly killed by Mongrel Mob members and associates
“Ten people are now on trial in the High Court at Hamilton all charged with his murder, and some are facing varying levels of assault and obstructing justice charges, after they allegedly turned up with various weapons..”
Ciara Chester-Cronin is junior counsel acting for one of the accused.
How police and homeowners brought down a Wellington drug syndicate
“… Matthew Goodwin spoke of his client’s journey since his second arrest, labelling it “transformational…
Former builder faced Judge Peter Hobbs for sentencing in the Wellington District Court, hoping for the home detention sentence his lawyer fervently argued for. He wasn’t granted home detention – but did receive a 70 per cent discount off his prison sentence.” Read full article here.