AM was charged with two charges of breaching a protection order when she attended her ex-partner’s house on the evening before New Zealand’s first Level 4 Lockdown in March 2020. 

AM pleaded not guilty as she had a reasonable excuse to attend the address; to check on the welfare of her child and make co-parenting arrangements with her ex-partner for the Lockdown period.

Ciara successfully argued that the charges should be dismissed pursuant so s 147 of the Criminal Procedure Act – it was in the interests of justice for the matter to end due to the passage of time as well as AM and her ex-partner having a constructive co-parenting relationship. Charges dismissed.

Recent News

Not Guilty at Judge Alone Trial- Receiving property over $1000

After two years of going through the court system, a client was found not guilty at judge alone trial under the assistance of Spencer, who successfully convinced the judge that there was reasonable doubt in the client being reckless in receiving the stolen property.

Successful review for Diversion

A client was declined entry into the Diversion programme- a Police led initiative which may allow first time offenders to do self-improvement courses instead of receiving a conviction.

Spencer successfully led the client through the right to review process, having the Police reconsider their decision and offer Diversion to her after all.

STAFF NEWS

We are happy to advise that our law clerk, Spencer Wells, has recently been admitted as a Barrister and Solicitor of the High Court.

He has now begun his role within Goodwin Law as a junior barrister, and we look forward to watching his development.

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.

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