Criminal Defence Barrister — Auckland CBD
Charged with
a criminal
offence?
If you have been charged with a criminal offence — you need a lawyer. A conviction can cost you your job, your licence, and your ability to travel. If you want a lawyer who provides clear advice and leaves no stone unturned — I'm your man.
Call now — free initial consultation
022 690 5828
About Sam Gunn
Your defence starts here.
Sam Gunn is a criminal defence barrister based in Auckland, practising on his own account. He acts exclusively in criminal law — with a strong focus on driving offences, and experience across a wide range of serious and complex criminal matters.
Sam regularly acts for professionals, business owners, and high-profile individuals who need discreet, capable representation. His approach is direct and strategic: understand exactly what has happened, assess what can realistically be achieved, and prepare properly before any court appearance.
You deal with Sam directly — not a clerk or a junior. He appears regularly in Court and is experienced in defended hearings, sentencing, bail applications, and complex pre-trial matters.
Straight answers
A clear, honest assessment from the first call — no noise, no false hope.
Careful preparation
Every case is prepared properly before any court appearance.
Strong advocacy
Experienced in defended hearings, sentencing, and bail applications.
Direct access
You deal with Sam directly throughout. No juniors, no clerks.
Recent Work
Outcomes that matter.
Every case turns on its own facts. The following are a selection of recent matters — all client identities protected.
Suspended Driver [2026]
Driving while suspended — limited licence application prepared and granted, allowing client to continue driving for work.
Limited licence approvedDisqualified Driver [2026]
Driving while disqualified — limited licence application prepared and granted, employment hardship established.
Limited licence approvedDrug Possession [2026]
Possession of cocaine — matter taken to trial, Crown evidence challenged.
Dismissed at trialExcess Breath Alcohol [2026]
Fourth drink driving offence — alcohol interlock licence sought, detailed mitigation filed.
Alcohol interlockExcess Breath Alcohol [2026]
Drink driving charge — Crown evidence challenged at defended hearing.
Dismissed at trialExcess Breath Alcohol [2026]
Drink driving charge — Crown evidence challenged at defended hearing.
Dismissed at trialIndecent Assault [2025]
Indecent assault — Crown evidence challenged, matter defended at trial.
Dismissed at trialAssault with Intent to Injure [2025]
Assault with intent to injure — Crown evidence challenged, matter taken to defended hearing.
Dismissed at trialBurglary [2025]
Burglary charge — Crown case challenged at trial.
Dismissed at trialUnauthorised Racing / Dangerous Driving [2025]
Unauthorised racing and dangerous driving — consequences of conviction argued, discharge without conviction sought.
Discharge without convictionUnlawfully Taking Motor Vehicle [2025]
Unlawfully taking a motor vehicle and failing to stop for Police — discharge without conviction obtained.
Discharge without convictionReceiving Over $1,000 [2025]
Receiving charge — Crown evidence challenged at defended hearing.
Dismissed at trialExcess Breath Alcohol [2025]
Drink driving charge — Crown evidence and procedure challenged at defended hearing.
Dismissed at trialExcess Breath Alcohol [2025]
Drink driving charge — discharge without conviction sought on personal and employment grounds.
Discharge without convictionCareless Driving Causing Injury [2025]
Careless driving causing injury — consequences of conviction argued. Discharge without conviction granted.
Discharge without convictionDriving While Disqualified [2025]
Driving while disqualified — personal hardship argued, no further disqualification sought.
No disqualificationRefusing Blood / Dangerous Driving [2025]
Refusing to provide blood specimen and dangerous driving — no evidence offered by Police before trial.
No evidence offeredTax Evasion [2025]
Tax evasion charges — imprisonment avoided through detailed mitigation and sentencing submissions.
Home detentionKidnapping [2025]
Kidnapping charge — Crown case challenged at trial. All elements of the charge disputed at defended hearing.
Dismissed at trialWounding with Intent [2025]
Wounding with intent to cause GBH — charge negotiated down to assault with weapon through Crown engagement.
Charge reducedSexual Connection with Young Person [2025]
Serious sexual offending charge — registration on Child Sex Offenders Register successfully avoided through charge amendment.
No CSOR registrationGrooming [2025]
Grooming charge — registration on Child Sex Offenders Register successfully removed through charge negotiation.
CSOR registration removedExcess Breath Alcohol [2024]
Drink driving charge — Crown evidence and procedure challenged at defended hearing.
Dismissed at trialAssault with Weapon [2024]
Assault with weapon — Crown evidence challenged, matter taken to defended hearing.
Dismissed at trialReceiving Over $1,000 [2024]
Receiving charge — no evidence offered by Crown before the matter proceeded to trial.
No evidence offeredAssault Family [2024]
Family violence charge — diversion negotiated, no conviction entered.
DiversionAssault Family x2 / Wilful Damage [2024]
Two family violence charges and wilful damage — discharge without conviction obtained on all charges.
Discharge without convictionBreach Protection Order [2024]
Breach of protection order — discharge without conviction sought and granted.
Discharge without convictionDrug Possession [2024]
Possession of cannabis for supply — charge negotiated down to simple possession. Sentenced to community work.
Charge reducedBribery [2024]
Bribery charge — imprisonment avoided through detailed mitigation and sentencing submissions.
Home detentionExcess Breath Alcohol [2024]
Drink driving — alcohol interlock licence obtained, no disqualification from driving for work.
Alcohol interlockExcess Breath Alcohol [2024]
Drink driving — no disqualification obtained through exceptional circumstances submissions.
No disqualificationUsing Forged Documents / Forgery [2024]
Using forged documents and forgery — methamphetamine charges withdrawn. Sentenced to supervision.
Drug charges withdrawnThreatening to Kill [2023]
Threatening to kill — discharge without conviction obtained, serious consequences of conviction argued.
Discharge without convictionThreatening to Kill [2023]
Threatening to kill — diversion negotiated with Police, no conviction entered.
DiversionAssault Family [2023]
Family violence charge — discharge without conviction obtained.
Discharge without convictionRefusing to Provide Blood [2023]
Refusing to provide blood specimen (drink driving) — Crown evidence challenged at defended hearing.
Dismissed at trialReceiving Over $1,000 [2023]
Receiving charge — Crown evidence challenged, matter taken to defended hearing.
Dismissed at trialDriving While Disqualified [2023]
Driving while disqualified — no further disqualification imposed through detailed mitigation.
No disqualificationExcess Breath Alcohol [2023]
Fifth drink driving offence — imprisonment avoided, sentenced to community work and alcohol interlock.
Community work & interlockAssault / Resisting Police [2022]
Assaulting and resisting Police — discharge without conviction obtained. Client's nursing career preserved.
Discharge without convictionAssault Family [2022]
Family violence charge — amended to common assault, sentenced to supervision.
Charge reducedAssault Family [2022]
Family violence charge — dismissed at defended hearing.
Dismissed at trialAssault with Weapon [2022]
Assault with a weapon — Crown evidence challenged at defended hearing.
Dismissed at trialAssault with Intent to Injure [2022]
Assault with intent to injure — Crown evidence challenged at defended hearing.
Dismissed at trialExcess Breath Alcohol [2022]
Drink driving charge — Crown evidence and procedure challenged at defended hearing.
Dismissed at trialMoney Laundering [2022]
Money laundering charge — imprisonment avoided through detailed mitigation and sentencing submissions.
Community detentionWounding with Intent [2022]
Wounding with intent to injure — imprisonment avoided through strong sentencing submissions and mitigation.
Supervision & community workStrangulation [2022]
Strangulation charge with previous family violence history — imprisonment avoided through detailed mitigation.
Home detentionBreach Protection Order x5 [2022]
Five breaches of protection order — charges negotiated down to a single breach, sentenced to community work.
Charges reducedDog Attack [2022]
Owner of dog that bit a person — liability challenged at defended hearing.
Dismissed at trialBreach Protection Order / Assault Family [2021]
Breach of protection order and family violence charges — matter taken to trial, all charges challenged.
Dismissed at trialObtaining by Deception [2021]
Obtaining by deception — consequences of conviction argued before the court.
Discharge without convictionPresenting Imitation Firearm [2021]
Presenting an imitation firearm — discharge without conviction obtained.
Discharge without convictionBurglary [2021]
Burglary charge — negotiated down to unlawfully on property. Convicted and discharged.
Convicted and dischargedResults vary depending on the facts of each case. Past outcomes are not a guarantee of future results.
Services
How Sam can help.
Driving Offences
Drink driving, careless driving, driving while disqualified or suspended, and limited licence applications. A significant part of Sam's practice with a strong track record of dismissals, discharges, and licences protected.
Learn more →Discharge Without Conviction
Available under s106 of the Sentencing Act where the consequences of conviction are out of proportion to the gravity of the offending. Sam makes these applications regularly and successfully across all charge types.
Learn more →Assault & Violent Offending
Common assault through to serious violence. Sam assesses the Crown evidence, identifies available defences, explores diversion or discharge, and prepares for a defended hearing where needed.
Learn more →Dishonesty & Fraud
Obtaining by deception, receiving, fraud, bribery, and money laundering. These charges often turn on specific elements that need careful examination before any decisions are made.
Learn more →Drug Offending
Possession and supply charges. The lawfulness of any Police search is examined in every case. If the search was unlawful, the evidence may be excluded and the charge may not proceed.
Learn more →Bail & Remand
Urgent bail applications, bail condition variations, and remand matters. Applications can be made quickly, including where restrictive conditions are making your life unworkable.
Learn more →FAQ
Frequently asked questions.
If you've been charged, you probably have questions. These pages explain your rights and options in plain language.
What happens after you're charged?
A step-by-step breakdown of the court process from first appearance to resolution.
Read more →Will I lose my licence?
Disqualification explained — when it's mandatory, when it's not, and what your options are.
Read more →Can I avoid a conviction?
How discharge without conviction works and when an application is realistic.
Read more →What drink driving reading is "bad"?
How breath alcohol readings affect your charge, your penalties, and your options.
Read more →What is Police diversion?
How diversion works, who qualifies, and how a lawyer can advocate for it on your behalf.
Read more →Should I talk to Police?
Your right to silence explained — and why exercising it is almost always the right call.
Read more →What are my rights if arrested?
Your rights under the NZ Bill of Rights Act — what Police must tell you and what you can do.
Read more →The Clean Slate Act
Whether old convictions can be concealed — who qualifies and what the scheme means in practice.
Read more →What is diversion?
How Police diversion works, who qualifies, and how to maximise your chances of being offered it.
Read guide →Should I talk to Police?
Your right to silence explained — and why exercising it is almost always the right call.
Read guide →What are my rights if arrested?
Your rights under the NZ Bill of Rights Act — what Police must tell you and what you can do.
Read guide →The Clean Slate Act
Whether old convictions can be concealed — who qualifies and what the Clean Slate scheme means in practice.
Read guide →Privately funded
Sam acts for privately funded clients. Fees are discussed on a case-by-case basis depending on the nature of the charge and the work involved.
Transparent from the start
You will be given a clear indication of likely costs at the outset. If anything changes during your case, that will be discussed with you before further work is carried out.
Fixed fees available
In appropriate matters, fixed-fee arrangements may be available — so you know the cost upfront rather than being billed hourly.
Discuss your matter →Client Feedback
What clients say.
Feedback from clients who have been through the process.
"Sam was a godsend for me truly. I owe so much to his perseverance and due diligence. He went well above and further beyond in preparation than I expected, and I am truly and forever grateful. For any out there seeking a lawyer with a cool and calm demeanor, a sharp mind, and an attention to detail — contact Sam."
Client
"Your well-organised approach, with detailed notes and clear explanations, helped demystify the process and alleviated the apprehension I initially felt. Your calm demeanor, clear communication, and meticulous preparation gave me confidence throughout the proceedings."
Client
"Your ability to combine legal expertise with empathy and cultural awareness is a rare and commendable quality. I would highly recommend Sam to anyone seeking legal representation, particularly those who may feel uneasy or unfamiliar with the justice system."
Client
More client reviews coming soon. If Sam represented you, get in touch — we'd love to hear from you.
Get in Touch
If you've been charged, don't wait.
Early advice can change the direction of your case. Contact Sam directly for a free initial consultation — all enquiries strictly confidential.
Call now
022 690 5828
Available 7 days. All enquiries strictly confidential.