Criminal Law

Steve has over 21 years of uninterrupted experience including involvement in a number of Trials of significant magnitude and importance in New Zealand.

In Waitakere, he represented one of the biggest serial arsonists in the country.

In Manukau, he acted for a New Zealand Customs Officer who admitted escorting drug couriers through Auckland Airport.

In Whangarei, he has had clients acquitted of Cannabis Cultivation and Sexual Offending.

In Gisborne, he successfully defended a client on a re-Trial for Possession of Cannabis for Supply.

At Auckland, he represented the Accused Taylor in the Steven Burn Trial, wherein the co-Accused received a sentence significantly higher than that imposed upon Taylor.

Steve has successfully defended clients charged with Murder, Attempted Murder and Manslaughter as well as the full range of lesser Criminal Offending.

Steve has assisted as Second Counsel in Five Murder trials, the first resulted in an Acquittal, the second in a plea of Guilty to Manslaughter, the third lead to conviction for Murder, the fourth resulted in a finding of Not Guilty by way of Insanity whilst the fifth was convicted of Murder.

Of the five persons charged with Murder Steve has personally represented, the outcomes have been as follows:

(i) Tiavo - negotiated reduction to Infanticide, sentenced to come up for sentence if called upon;
(ii) Faumui - negotiated Manslaughter charge, sentenced to three years imprisonment;
(iii) Johnson – convicted, sentenced to Life,
(iv) Hu – convicted, sentenced to Life,
(v) Henare - elected to plead guilty, sentenced to Life;

In the case of Tuitama v R, Steve was commended by the presiding Judge for his "sterling" efforts following a successful outcome to a two year battle which included a Petition to the Governor General on behalf of the Appellant.