An Auckland lawyer has admitted three charges of possessing methamphetamine and has been declined name suppression.
However the man, in his 40s, immediately appealed the decision and his name cannot be published until the matter has been dealt with by the High Court.
The lawyer, who was listed on court documents as "legal executive", originally faced four charges, including the most serious count of possession of P for supply.
Police withdrew that charge at Auckland District Court today, leaving the possession charges, which carry a maximum of 6 months jail time.
But the defendant's lawyer Peter Davey told the court he would be seeking a discharge without conviction for his client.
Judge Anne Kiernan did not enter convictions, leaving the matter to be determined by the sentencing judge in October.
The court heard how the man admitted to possession of at least 2.5gm of the class-A drug but no more than 4.5gm.
The offending took place in June and July.
Mr Davey said his client had already begun counselling sessions and wanted to continue with more intensive therapy before sentencing.
The lawyer had been stood down by bosses and no formal decision had been made on his return to work.
"He has reached a verbal agreement with his current employer but it is still to be documented," Mr Davey said.
Defence counsel applied for continued name suppression until the next court hearing, citing "extreme hardship" to both the defendant and his family.
Mr Davey said the man's chances of future employment would be crushed if his name was publicised and he would have to leave the country.
But Judge Kiernan said that did not meet the high threshold to continue the secrecy.
"You'd face the same difficulty many people who commit criminal offending face," she said.
Mr Davey indicated he would appeal the ruling and suppression was extended until that could be heard.
The defendant's bail was relaxed so he could attend the overseas wedding of a family member, with no opposition from police.
Several other facing more serious charges, who were arrested along side the defendant, also appeared in Auckland District Court today.
They will be back in three weeks.
- NZME.
