Assault, theft, dishonesty, drugs, wilful damage, threatening behaviour. Whatever the mess, what happens between now and your court date decides how this ends. $230 gets Melanie Coxon, a barrister of 30+ years, reading your file and telling you straight what's realistic.
$230 phone appointment.
Get some direction and peace of mind today
Available until 9pm
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Take charge of your situation. One call gets you some direction and peace of mind.
From the first appointment you have a barrister of 30+ years reading your police file, telling you plainly how this can end, and writing the list of things that will earn the best version of it.
Then she puts it to the police or to the judge in writing, with the evidence attached. That's what changes outcomes, not how well anyone speaks on the day. You'll do a fair share of it too. Knowing which things count, and in what order, is our job. We know what the people have to do.
Start this week. An anger management programme or a CADS alcohol and drugs course takes months, and sentencing dates come faster. Reparation paid, an apology written and community work nobody ordered all count for far more done early than promised the week of sentencing.
Charged per appointment and per appearance, not by the hour. Same-day phone appointments available.
Most criminal barristers charge by the hour, and almost none publish it. We charge per appointment and per appearance instead, and you can pay in instalments.
A straightforward guilty plea (one phone appointment, one appearance at the Auckland District Court) is $460. Written submissions on sentence add to that, and you'll have the number before you commit. A discharge without conviction is $2,875 in five instalments of $575, plus a $1,150 wrap-up fee only if it's granted: $4,025 all-in.
If your case is complicated, we agree a fee once we've seen the full police disclosure, in writing, before any work starts. And if money is what's stopping you ringing, ring and say so. There may be a free option that suits you better.
Or text us on 021 911 133 and we'll ring you backA typical total, so you can plan: a guilty plea and one appearance, $460. Current as at August 2026.
Melanie Coxon is a barrister sole with 30+ years in criminal and traffic law. No juniors, no hand-offs, so you always know who's reading your file and arguing your case. Ring and we'll take down what's happened and chase the paperwork, so you're never wondering where things stand.
Relax. We've seen it all. Whether it's your first time or you're on a first-name basis with the court staff, we're not here to judge.
Most people assume the choice is guilty or not guilty. It isn't. Roughly in order of how good it is for you:
A police scheme for a first offence at the lower end. Do the conditions (an apology, reparation, sometimes a course) and the charge is withdrawn. Nothing on your record. It isn't a right, but it's often worth asking for. Turned down? Ask about a diversion appeal.
The judge finds the charge proved and then declines to convict. The test isn't remorse; it's whether a conviction would cost you far more than the offending deserves. It's built out of documents.
A conviction still leaves a wide range: a fine, supervision, community work, home detention, prison. Written submissions move you along it, built from what you've already done.
If you didn't do it, or the evidence doesn't get there, you defend it. That starts with the disclosure, read properly, and a straight answer on what a defended hearing would involve.
Three of those four end with no conviction on your record. Which one is realistic for you depends on the disclosure, and getting it is what the first appointment is for.
This describes how these cases usually run in New Zealand. It isn't advice on yours, and none of it is a promise of a particular outcome.
It's the first thing almost everyone asks. It depends on the charge, your history and the circumstances: a first charge at the lower end is a very different risk from repeat or serious offending. You'll get a straight answer on the first call. The bottom line here is we know how to keep you out of jail!
Not necessarily. If you're diverted or discharged there's no conviction to be on anything. If you are convicted, the clean slate scheme hides most convictions from a standard record check after seven clear years, with conditions. It doesn't apply overseas.
Sometimes, and this is exactly why people apply for a discharge. Other countries make their own rules, and visa forms routinely ask whether you have ever been charged. If your job, residency or travel depends on the answer, say so on the first call. It changes what's worth applying for.
For the appointments, no: phone or Zoom, anywhere in New Zealand. The court work is done at the Auckland courts — North Shore, Manukau, Waitakere, wherever you are.
Sometimes you should, and we'll say so. The duty lawyer meets you on the morning, with your file for twenty minutes and fifteen other people to see. Enough for a straightforward guilty plea. Not enough to get your disclosure, test the charge against the facts, or build a case for a discharge. One $230 phone appointment tells you which you need.
Ring either way. A charge carrying years of imprisonment, a jury trial or a Crown prosecution isn't a fixed-fee matter; we'll read the disclosure and quote in writing, or point you to someone who should handle it. If money is the problem, say so: you may qualify for legal aid, and your local Community Law Centre is free. We'll tell you straight.
One phone appointment, $230, usually the same day, for however long it takes. You'll come off the call knowing which outcome is realistic, what you'd need to do to earn it, and what the whole thing will cost. Get some direction and peace of mind today. Why keep tossing and turning? What could be easier?
Or text us on 021 911 133 and we'll ring you backMon–Fri 9am–9pm · Sat 2pm–6pm
No credit, free call 0800 OK2DRIVE (0800 6523 7483)
If you're in custody now, don't read a website. Ring, or have someone ring for you.