I've been charged - what should I do?

This video is about the importance of retaining a lawyer as soon as possible to prepare for your case.

What to Do If You've Been Charged with an Offence in New Zealand

If you've been charged with an offence or even if you think you're going to be charged with an offence, it's crucial to get in touch with a lawyer as soon as possible.

The Importance of Early Legal Consultation

The reason for early consultation is that there are ways of dealing with the police or the investigators in terms of getting your statement out there in a cooperative manner, which may have a very significant long-term benefit for you.

I've had cases where people called me because the police were looking for them or their family member. We managed to avoid charges being laid through early intervention and careful management of the situation. If they had simply waited until the police had turned up, charges would have been laid, leading to far worse long-term consequences.

Making a Statement to the Police

While I always recommend that you should not make any statement to the police until you've spoken with a lawyer, there's still nothing wrong with making a statement if that's in your best interest. This decision should be made in consultation with your lawyer.

Legal Aid and Private Retainer

Due to the current legal aid system in New Zealand, you're unable to choose your lawyer for most cases. If you'd like me to be your lawyer, unfortunately, I cannot undertake it on legal aid. It has to be a private retainer and has to be instructed through an instructing solicitor. If you don't have an instructing solicitor, one can be organized for you.

Reach Out for Help

If you're in this position and you would like to have a private retainer, please don't hesitate to drop me an email or give me a phone call. You can Phone me on 021488367 or 0800 BUSTED (0800287833) or email me. I'm here to help you navigate this process and explore your options.