Criminal legal aid lawyers in Whakatāne
9 lawyers at 7 firms in Whakatāne can take criminal legal aid cases. Their phone numbers are below. Legal aid helps pay for a lawyer if you can't afford one.
Not sure where to start? Read what to do first below, or call the Ministry of Justice legal aid line on 0800 253 425 (free, weekdays 8am to 5pm).
What to do first
If you've been charged
- Apply for legal aid as soon as you're charged. Don't wait for your first day in court.
- On your first day in court, ask for the duty lawyer. It's free, and they can help you apply for legal aid.
- For most charges, the Ministry chooses your legal aid lawyer. For very serious charges (more than 10 years in prison), you can choose your own.
Legal aid in Whakatāne at a glance
- 9 lawyers can take criminal legal aid cases, including the most serious charges (level 4 of 4).
- 9 lawyers work as duty lawyers, the free help at court on your first day.
- 3 lawyers give free advice to people held by the police.
- Languages other than English: Te Reo Māori (2), Japanese (1).
Free help near Whakatāne
Free legal advice
Baywide Community Law
Whakatāne office · In Whakatāne
Free legal help from lawyers, for people who can't afford one. Contact details and clinics
Free advice and forms
CAB Whakatane
21 Boon Street, Whakatane 3120
In Whakatāne
07 308 5609Walk in, call or email. They can help you understand forms and find the right service.
Duty lawyer
Whakatāne District Court
7 Pyne St, Whakatāne
In Whakatāne
0800 268 787On your first day in court, ask at reception for the duty lawyer. It's free if you don't have a lawyer.
Nearest by distance from the centre of Whakatāne. Checked 5 October 2026. Offices sometimes move, so call before you go.
Criminal legal aid lawyers in Whakatāne, A to Z
Every lawyer the Ministry of Justice lists in Whakatāne, grouped by firm. Call to check they can take your case.
Baywide Community Law Service
(07) 30868172 legal aid lawyers
CriminalDuty lawyerFamilyFamily legal advice- Benjamin Josef Rotstein · Criminal, Duty lawyer
- Whitney Claudine Winiata · Criminal, Duty lawyer, Family, Family legal advice
Eastbay Law Limited
(07) 307 01031 legal aid lawyer
Criminal · up to level 1 of 4Duty lawyerFamilyFamily legal adviceCivilJonathan Richard Kay
Gould Law
(022) 61399511 legal aid lawyer
Criminal · up to level 1 of 4Duty lawyerHelen Elizabeth Gould
2 legal aid lawyers · See firm page →
Criminal · up to level 4 of 4Duty lawyerPolice station adviceFamilyFamily legal adviceJapanese- Lisa Maria Ebbers · Criminal · up to level 2 of 4, Duty lawyer, Family, Family legal advice
- Steve Richard Franklin · Criminal · up to level 4 of 4, Duty lawyer, Police station advice
Nickie Franklin, Barrister
(027) 33375951 legal aid lawyer
Criminal · up to level 1 of 4Duty lawyerFamilyFamily legal adviceNickie Maree Franklin
Piki Mai Law
(022) 175 93861 legal aid lawyer
Criminal · up to level 2 of 4Duty lawyerPolice station adviceTe Reo MāoriLeonard James Leslie Hemi
Rebecca Plunket - Barrister
(027) 65035191 legal aid lawyer
Criminal · up to level 3 of 4Duty lawyerPolice station adviceTe Reo MāoriRebecca Mary Plunket
Verified with the Ministry of Justice legal aid list on 12 October 2026. Lawyer details are from the Ministry of Justice, used under CC BY 4.0. We group them by firm and town and add links to firm pages. The Ministry of Justice decides who gets legal aid; Find A Lawyer is not part of the Ministry. Spotted a mistake? Tell us.
Other types of case in Whakatāne
Criminal legal aid lawyers in nearby towns
All legal aid lawyers in Bay of Plenty →
Not sure who'll take your case?
Tell us your situation and we'll match you with a legal aid lawyer, free. Say in a few words what's happening, and that you need legal aid.