Serious violence charges can threaten your freedom, reputation, and future. Daniel Schellenberg offers expert defence across Auckland, providing skilled representation to protect your rights.

Serious Violence Offences

Defending Against Serious Violence Offences

Being charged with a serious violence offence can have immediate and far-reaching consequences for your freedom, reputation, and future opportunities. These charges are aggressively prosecuted in New Zealand, and convictions often result in significant prison sentences. When facing allegations of this magnitude, having experienced, strategic legal representation is crucial to protecting your rights and securing the best possible outcome.

 

Daniel Schellenberg provides dedicated, expert defence for those facing serious violence offence charges throughout Auckland and surrounding areas. With extensive experience in criminal defence and a thorough understanding of violence-related laws, he delivers the robust, meticulous representation these serious cases demand.

How Daniel Schellenberg Can Help

A skilled violence offence lawyer provides crucial guidance and representation throughout every stage of your case:

 

Comprehensive Case Analysis

Daniel meticulously examines every aspect of the allegations, including:


  • Forensic evidence and medical reports regarding injuries
  • Witness statements and credibility issues
  • Police investigation methods and potential procedural errors
  • CCTV footage and other visual evidence
  • Self-defence and defence of others claims

 

Strategic Defence Development

Based on thorough investigation, Daniel develops defence strategies that may include:


  • Self-defence claims: Establishing legitimate fear for your safety or the safety of others
  • Identity challenges: Questioning whether you were correctly identified as the perpetrator
  • Consent issues: Demonstrating consent in appropriate cases
  • Intent challenges: Proving absence of the required mental state for the offence
  • Provocation evidence: Contextualising the incident (relevant to sentencing)

 

Expert Witness Coordination

Violence offence cases may require specialised expert testimony. Daniel works with medical experts, forensic specialists, and other professionals to strengthen your defence when appropriate.

 

Skilled Court Representation

With extensive courtroom experience in serious criminal matters, Daniel provides powerful advocacy throughout bail hearings, pre-trial proceedings, trial, and if necessary, during sentencing and appeals.

Understanding Serious Violence Offences in New Zealand

Serious violence offences in New Zealand encompass a range of charges, each with specific legal elements and potential defences:

 

Wounding with Intent to Cause Grievous Bodily Harm (GBH)

GBH charges involve causing serious physical harm to another person. The prosecution must prove both the act and the requisite intent, creating potential avenues for defence based on challenging either element.

 

Injuring with Intent to Cause GBH

These charges involve causing injuries with the specific intention to cause serious harm. The prosecution's burden to prove intent provides significant opportunities for strategic defence.

 

Robbery and Aggravated Robbery

These offences combine theft with violence or threats of violence, with aggravated robbery involving weapons, multiple offenders or causing serious harm. These cases often involve identification issues and questions about the level of force used.

 

Kidnapping and Unlawful Detention

These serious charges involve allegations of restricting another person's freedom of movement against their will, often with significant factual disputes about consent and intent.

 

Family Violence Offences

Serious family violence cases involve complex interpersonal dynamics and often require specialised approaches to both legal defence and potential resolution options.

 

Assault with Weapon

Includes charges where the assault involves weapons, serious injury, or was committed against vulnerable victims. These cases often involve complex evidence regarding intent, causation of injuries, and the circumstances surrounding the incident.


Firearms Offences

Includes charges where firearms are fired at a person or dwellinghouse. These cases usually go hand in hand with other offences under the Arms Act 1983 such as unlawful possession of a firearm and ammunition.

 

Each violence offence case presents unique circumstances, evidence challenges, and potential defence strategies. The severity of these charges demands legal representation with specific experience in violence crime defence.​

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Useful Tips & Advice

  • What should I do if I'm charged with a violence offence?

    If you're charged with a violence offence:

    • Exercise your right to legal representation immediately
    • Do not speak to police without your lawyer present
    • Avoid discussing your case with anyone except your lawyer
    • Preserve any evidence or information that might support your defence

    Follow your lawyer's guidance carefully throughout the process​

  • What defences are available for violence offence charges?

    Depending on the specific circumstances, potential defences may include:

    • Self-defence or defence of others
    • Absence of intent to cause harm
    • Mistaken identity
    • Alibi evidence
    • Consent (in appropriate cases)
    • Lack of evidence meeting the required standard of proof
    • Procedural violations during investigation​

  • How are violence offence cases investigated?

    Violence offence investigations typically involve:

    • Collection of medical evidence regarding injuries
    • Witness interviews and statements
    • Analysis of CCTV and other visual evidence
    • Forensic examination of weapons or other relevant items
    • Review of communications between involved parties
    • Background checks on all parties involved

  • What penalties exist for violence offence convictions?

    Violence offence convictions carry severe penalties in New Zealand:

    • Wounding with intent GBH: Up to 14 years imprisonment
    • Injuring with intent GBH: Up to 10 years imprisonment
    • Aggravated robbery: Up to 14 years imprisonment
    • Assault with weapon: Up to 5 years imprisonment
    • Permanent criminal record affecting future employment and travel opportunities
    • Potential protection orders and other ongoing restrictions

Why Choose Daniel Schellenberg

When facing serious violence offence allegations, your choice of legal representation will significantly impact the course of your case. Daniel Schellenberg offers:


  • Specialised expertise in violence offence defence
  • Comprehensive case investigation and preparation
  • Strategic approach to complex legal and evidential challenges
  • Respectful, non-judgmental representation
  • Complete confidentiality and discretion
  • Clear communication throughout the legal process
  • Dedicated advocacy focused entirely on protecting your rights and securing the best possible outcome

Contact For Urgent Consultation

Violence offence allegations require immediate legal attention. Contact Daniel Schellenberg today for a confidential consultation to discuss your situation and understand your legal options.