Former Green MP Golriz Ghahraman Appeal Of Shoplifting Conviction Fails

Monday, 21 October 2024, 9:29 pm
Article: RNZ

An appeal by former Green Party MP Golriz Ghahraman to have her shoplifting convictions wiped, has been dismissed by the Auckland High Court.

In June, Ghahraman was convicted on four counts of shoplifting, and fined $1600 and an additional $260 in court costs.

Her request to be discharged without conviction was at the time dismissed by Judge June Jelas.

Her further appeal has now been dismissed.

Ghahraman resigned as an MP after the shoplifting allegations came to light.

Concerns had been raised about a conviction making it difficult to revive her legal career.

Justice Venning said there was no evidence to show that the Law Society wouldn't approve her application for a practising certificate based on her conviction.

He said there was also no evidence to show whether her conviction would affect her application for jobs at the International Criminal Court.

While the ICC requires that applicants have not committed any serious criminal offences, it was unclear whether Ghahraman's convictions would be seen as such, Justice Venning said.

The consequences of conviction on Ghahraman's mental health would be in the low band, as much of the impact would have occured when her offending became public, he said.

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