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CRIMINAL LAW

Criminal Legal Aid

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Criminal Legal Aid is available for most serious offences. 

 

But you might be surprised at the cases where you will not get legal aid.  Minor offences,  first time cannabis and drink driving offences and similar cases may not be eligible for legal aid.

 

We will give you the details and tips you need to get legal aid.

 

This page deals with criminal legal aid.  You must also visit our general site entitled - Legal Aid
 

Prior to 1 November 2001,  you did not have an absolute right to pick your own lawyer. All of that has changed now.

 

There are a number of lawyers who are registered on what is known as the Police Detention Legal Assistance scheme  (known as PDLA).

 

These lawyers are on a list at every police station and you will be given a copy of that list by a police officer if you are under arrest and in custody at the police station.

 

The Government will pay for that lawyer to be contacted by you by telephone and that lawyer is also paid by the Government to come and see you at the police station if that is necessary.

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Feedback/Blogs/Reviews from related topic: Accessory After The Fact
"I find this topic really helpful as well as all the topics under the "Weekend Arrest" topic. This is the sort of basic informatin which needs to be taught in schools. Don't you agree?"
Feedback/Blogs/Reviews from related topic: Accessory After The Fact
"I was looking round Google to find something about representing myself and I found this and a number of your topics SPOT ON. Thanks. This one was great! Jon F. Auckland - May 2007"
"Thanks Netlaw. Rolf - Auckland"
Feedback/Blogs/Reviews from related topic: Accessory After The Fact
"Easy to follow. I suggest to other cliemts of Netlaw that they read your topics SPEEDING as well as DEFENDING YOURSELF IN COURT. Nic - Auckland"
Feedback/Blogs/Reviews from related topic: Accessory After The Fact
"Is it possible to get a discharge without conviction on a dangerous driving or reckless driving charge? Thanks

Netlaw replies: Yes, it is possible, but very difficult. There would have to be very special reasons like driving in an emergency situation."

Feedback/Blogs/Reviews from related topic: Accessory After The Fact
"I found all your criminal law topics fascinating. I may become a criminal myself just to use your site. Nah, only joking but I liked Self Defence, Citizens Arrest and Drink Driving and Demerit Points.

Henk - Waikato"

Feedback/Blogs/Reviews from related topic: Accessory After The Fact
"Great to find all this information at my fingertips.
I think that Home Detention is a bit of a sop. Either you go to prison or you do not! I think it is almost like getting off! Mike H - Wellington"

Feedback/Blogs/Reviews from related topic: Accessory After The Fact
"I'm making an enquiry on behalf of a relative who is paying child support for a person who is in his mid 30s now, the inland revenue who he is making these payments to told me it is not child support it is spouse support payments and he needs to go back to court to have the order changed. Who do we call now as he is not on a good income and should qualify for legal aid.

Netlaw replies: Yes, Spousal Maintenance is different from Child Support. The Family Court deals with Spousal maintenance but the IRD (Child Support Division) deals with kid's maintenance. Choose any family court lawyer and if he earns less than about $33,000 he should get legal aid."

Feedback/Blogs/Reviews from related topic: Accessory After The Fact
"David Bain is innocent - Miriam C - Auckland"
"No he bloody ain't - Jimmy - Timaru "
Feedback/Blogs/Reviews from related topic: Accessory After The Fact
"Dear Netlaw . . . it was really helpful to realise the difficultes in getting suppression of name and to get some of the caselaw. It allowed me to prepare a lot better. I had a silly shoplifting case but I am in my early thirties and I really wanted name suppression. You guys really helped. Also, you other sites are dazzling. Becs (not my real name)

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Feedback/Blogs/Reviews from related topic: Accessory After The Fact
"I was looking round Google to find something about representing myself and I found this and a number of your topics SPOT ON. Thanks. This one was great! Jon F. Auckland - May 2007"
Feedback/Blogs/Reviews from related topic: Accessory After The Fact
"I was roughly treated at a Police interview. One cop did hit me. It was not that hard but he banged me on the top of the head and yelled that he wanted the truth. It does happen . . not as bad as you see on TV but it does happen. Kevin - North Shore"
Feedback/Blogs/Reviews from related topic: Accessory After The Fact
"Is rape the same as sexual violation? - JKH"
"NETLAW replies . . . It is a special definition of sexual violation. It is sexual violation using the penis rather than part of the body or an instrument any other item. "
Feedback/Blogs/Reviews from related topic: Accessory After The Fact
"Helped us greatly. We also looked through all your other criminal sites and have printed some off. Thanks Netlaw. Ali"
"Do we have to use the State paid "Youth Advocates"? Mrs H. (name withheld)

Netlaw replies - No, but you do have to pay for a lawyer of your choice UNLESS the case is so serious that it goes to the District Court or the High Court. Then, normal legal aid takes over where you can choose your own lawyer."

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