How Much Does a Criminal Lawyer Cost in New Zealand?

Criminal Lawyer Hourly Rates in NZ

Criminal defence fees vary based on lawyer experience and case complexity:

Experience Level	Hourly Rate
Junior Lawyer (0-5 years)	$350-400
Intermediate (5-10 years)	$400-500
Senior Barrister (10+ years)	$500-700
QC/King's Counsel	$700-1,200+

Costs by Type of Criminal Charge

Traffic Offences

Common traffic charges and typical defence costs:

• Drink driving (first offence): $2,000-4,000
• Drink driving (repeat/high reading): $4,000-8,000
• Dangerous driving: $3,000-8,000
• Driving while disqualified: $2,500-5,000
• Reckless driving causing injury: $8,000-20,000

Assault Charges

Physical violence charges vary significantly:

• Common assault (minor): $3,000-6,000
• Assault with intent to injure: $5,000-12,000
• Aggravated assault: $8,000-20,000
• Wounding with intent: $15,000-40,000
• Manslaughter: $40,000-100,000+

Drug Offences

Drug charge defence costs depend on quantity and intent:

• Possession (personal use): $2,000-5,000
• Possession for supply: $8,000-20,000
• Manufacturing/cultivation: $15,000-40,000
• Importing/exporting (Class A): $30,000-80,000+

Fraud and Financial Crimes

White-collar crime defence is typically document-heavy:

• Minor fraud (under $5,000): $4,000-8,000
• Moderate fraud: $10,000-30,000
• Major fraud/embezzlement: $30,000-100,000+
• Tax evasion: $20,000-60,000

Serious Violent and Sexual Offences

The most serious charges require significant legal resources:

• Sexual assault: $20,000-60,000
• Rape/sexual violation: $40,000-100,000+
• Murder: $80,000-200,000+
• Kidnapping: $30,000-80,000

District Court vs High Court Costs

The court level significantly affects total costs:

Jury Trial Costs

Jury trials in the High Court are the most expensive form of criminal defence:

Trial Component	Estimated Cost
Pre-trial preparation	$10,000-30,000
Trial (per day)	$3,000-8,000
Expert witnesses	$5,000-20,000+
Brief review and research	$5,000-15,000
Sentencing submissions	$3,000-8,000

A typical 5-day jury trial costs $50,000-100,000 in legal fees alone, not including expert witnesses or investigation costs.

Appeal Costs

If you're convicted and want to appeal:

• Court of Appeal (conviction appeal): $15,000-40,000
• Court of Appeal (sentence appeal): $8,000-20,000
• Supreme Court appeal: $30,000-80,000+

Appeals are complex and require senior counsel. Success rates vary significantly based on grounds of appeal.

Legal Aid for Criminal Matters

Legal aid is available for most criminal charges, with different eligibility criteria:

Income-Tested Legal Aid

For other criminal matters, income thresholds apply:

• Single: Under $23,820/year
• Couple: Under $37,758/year
• With dependants: Higher thresholds apply

Legal aid may be repayable if you have assets or your financial situation improves.

Duty Lawyer vs Private Criminal Lawyer

Recommendation: Use the duty lawyer for your first appearance if you need immediate help, but engage a private lawyer for contested charges, especially for serious offences or when you intend to plead not guilty.

Additional Criminal Law Costs

Beyond lawyer fees, you may face other expenses:

• Bail bond (if required): Variable (often 10-20% of bail amount)
• Court costs (if convicted): $130-$600
• Reparation orders: Based on victim losses
• Private investigator: $80-150/hour
• Expert witnesses: $2,000-10,000+ each
• Psychological reports: $1,500-4,000

Ways to Reduce Criminal Defence Costs

Questions to Ask Criminal Lawyers

Before hiring a criminal defence lawyer, ask:

1. What is your experience with charges like mine?
2. What is your hourly rate and estimated total cost?
3. Do you offer fixed fees for any part of the case?
4. What is the likely outcome based on my situation?
5. Will you handle my case personally or pass it to juniors?
6. Can you help me apply for legal aid?
7. What is your availability for court dates?
8. How will you keep me updated on my case?

When to Hire a Criminal Lawyer Immediately

Seek legal representation urgently if:

• You've been arrested or expect to be charged
• Police want to interview you about an alleged offence
• You're facing charges that could result in imprisonment
• You're considering pleading not guilty
• Your case involves complex evidence or multiple charges
• You need bail in a contested hearing