Serious Violence Cases

Violence offending includes anything from a minor assault through to manslaughter or murder.  These types of cases are often very fact-specific and there can be different defences available, including a straight denial, self-defence, defence of another or necessity.
 
Adam has acted a lead counsel for clients facing every type of violence charge, including murder.  He has secured outstanding results for clients facing violence charges at trial and has also helped many clients rehabilitate themselves and avoid criminal convictions after pleading guilty.

Recent Cases

Defendant faced multiple charges of kidnapping, aggravated robbery and serious violence (including torture) following a gang-related  stand-over at a residential property.  Following a three-week High Court trial, 10 of the 11 charges were dismissed and the defendant received a final community-based sentence of 3 months on a night-time curfew.​

Defendant was charged with wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm (max sentence of 14 years imprisonment) following an incident where the victim was stabbed with a bottle.   Following the start of a jury trial, the charge was reduced and the defendant eventually received a community-based sentence that allowed him to keep working.

The defendant faced a serious violence charge after striking the victim and causing him serious brain injuries.  Following a highly publicized one-week jury trial in Palmerston North, the defendant was found not guilty on the basis that he had acted in self-defence.

Client was charged with wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm and injuring with intent to injure after admitting in a police statement that she had attacked the victim before arming her co-accused with a meat cleaver and then assisting in a subsequent attack of the victim with weapons.  After a three day trial, the client was acquitted on the wounding charge and avoided a prison sentence.  Her co-accused was sentenced to more than six and a half years imprisonment.

Client was charged with wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm and assault with a weapon following a large gang-related street brawl in the city.  After a three week trial, the client was acquitted on both charges.  The four co-accused were all convicted and sentenced to lengthy terms of imprisonment.

Alex Sawyer - Traffic Charges

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Adam I am writing this letter to say thank you from the bottom of my heart for your efforts in looking after me.  I want you to know that I am 100% happy with how you conducted yourself and argued for me in court .  My English may not be perfect, but after seeing and hearing many lawyers over the years you are right up there with the very best I have seen.  Thank you again and God bless.

LT - Violence charges

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Alex Sawyer - Traffic Charges

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I found myself facing serious violence charges and Adam was assigned as my lawyer.  He helped me get bail and then guided me through the whole process.  My partner got sentenced to more than six years, but I decided to defend my charge.  I was stressing, but Adam ran the trial in a way that I didn’t need to give evidence and I was so relieved and happy when I was found not guilty.   Adam did an amazing job and saved me from a long prison sentence.

AT - Serious violence charges

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Alex Sawyer - Traffic Charges

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I’m really thankful to had myself represented by Adam through those difficult times.
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From the beginning he was honest and provided great advice with confidence, diligence and integrity. He explained to me my options and his recommendations, we decided the course of action and the result was a dramatic improvement on my situation which translated in a significant reduction on my sentence with no major impact in my life. Otherwise I could have been facing time in jail and my life would have be ruined.

I could not have achieved what we achieved without him. I wouldn’t doubt to contact him if I ever need legal advice again.

LH - serious violence charge.

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Alex Sawyer - Traffic Charges

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“I was facing a serious violence charge that was my first ever offence.  A conviction would have had a massive impact on my career and I was extremely worried.  Adam gave me brilliant counsel and helped me avoid a criminal conviction on my record. Adam is an outstanding lawyer who was always quick to get back to me  - I recommend him very highly.”

RH – serious violence charge.

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Get in touch with us today

Call Adam today on 021 2222 368 or 09 378 4437.

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