Simon Moore SC

by Georgie Fenwicke | 3:30 pm 11/07/2010

Simon Moore SC is a real-world Denny Crane -- without the mad-cow.

A Crown Prosecutor for Auckland since 1994, Moore has appeared in a number of New Zealand's most prolific criminal trials. Animated and knowledgable, he spoke to graduating Law and Commerce students over the weekend. Critic caught up with him last week to discuss his career, those cases and the New Zealand legal system.

What attracted you to prosecution over other branches of the law?

Nothing... I fell into it and it was at a time, as it is now, when law jobs were very difficult to get. I [think I] would have been much more interested in defending, but what I have found with prosecuting is that, in fact, you get much closer to people  who are adversely affected by crime. I have found it extremely rewarding. But it would be fair to say that I fell into it.

You have appeared on behalf of the Crown against a number of notably violent offenders – Antonie Dixon, William Bell, Malcolm Rewa – how does one go about approaching the prosecution of such crimes?

I think you go about prosecuting those crimes with exactly the same kind of approach that you go about prosecuting any crime. The enormity of some of these crimes means that there are different sorts of pressures on you in terms of some of the aspects of the prosecuting, but it doesn’t change the core way you would approach the presentation of the case or anything like that. 

What case are you working on or preparing for at the moment?

On Monday [today], I start a five week murder trial for the killing of Sgt. Don Wilkinson who was shot and killed after he and another had been discovered putting a tracking device on a car in Mangere.

As one who is wholly involved and invested in the New Zealand legal system, do you believe it is effective?

I think that we have a really good reason to be reassured and very positive about our justice system. There are problems which emerge from time to time, but the fact that we do confront them when they do arise, I think is something that should make everyone pleased.

What areas do you view as the most in need of improvement?

I think that one of the real issues confronting the criminal justice system is the delays in getting criminal trials to court. But that is a problem that is being examined at the moment and already, we are seeing improvements being made. 

You are speaking at the ceremony for Graduating Law and Commerce students over the weekend, what is the key message you hope to convey to your audience?

One of the things I am going to say is that life is full of surprises and nothing, nothing is what you expect it to be and nothing will remain as you expect it to be. Essentially, be adaptable and be prepared to change when you need to.

Back