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DISMISSAL OF CHARGES – DRIVING WITH EXCESS BREATH ALCOHOL AND DANGEROUS DRIVING

Apr 19, 2023

Ciara acted for LW who was charged with dangerous driving and driving with excess breath alcohol. 

Ciara instructed a clinical neuropsychologist to assess whether LW suffered from mental impairments. It was concluded that LW suffered from various cognitive issues (including dementia) and this severely impacted her decision making and ability to communicate with counsel during court proceedings. Having worked with LW’s family to ensure appropriate support mechanisms were in place, Ciara also discussed the matter with Police Prosecutions who decided to withdraw the charges.

DISMISSAL OF CHARGES – BREACH OF PROTECTION ORDER

Mar 23, 2023

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.

CHARGES DISMISSED

Apr 28, 2022

Ciara appeared at North Shore District Court for our client, BH who was charged with discharge and possession of a firearm.

The Police accepted there was insufficient evidence to obtain a conviction and sought to withdraw both charges pursuant to s 146 of the Criminal Procedure Act. This provision means the charges could be re-laid against our client in the future.

Ciara argued that BH is entitled to the uncertainty of outcome in the Court process and if the Police’s application was granted, the uncertainty of future disposition would be onerous and unjust.

Ciara convinced the Court that dismissal pursuant to s 147 was the appropriate provision, which is deemed an acquittal.

Media

How police and homeowners brought down a Wellington drug syndicate

How police and homeowners brought down a Wellington drug syndicate

Jan 23, 2024

“… 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.

The MDMA in the juice bottle and the Brazilian cocaine: Auckland drug runner jailed for cartel role

The MDMA in the juice bottle and the Brazilian cocaine: Auckland drug runner jailed for cartel role

Aug 15, 2023

A former Auckland drug runner who served as a minion in one of New Zealand’s largest ever syndicates has been sentenced to a shade under a decade in prison. Matt Goodwin, said his client had been seduced into the sprawling and sophisticated syndicate amid financial difficulties, cultural pressure and personal tragedy with the death of his grandfather, his “mainstay of support”. Read full article here.

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