Jonathan Down, the newly appointed Acting District Court Judge based in Hastings, New Zealand, says his faith “has helped form his character."
Judge Down was sworn in last Friday [14 December 2012] in Auckland.
Beehive.govt.nz reports that “Judge Down is an experienced criminal barrister with a background in United Kingdom and New Zealand criminal law. He was admitted in England/Wales in 1993 and in New Zealand in 2005, following a move here with his family. He briefly practised as a barrister from Vulcan Chambers (August to December 2008) and was an associate and Senior Crown Prosecutor at Meredith Connell from 2005-2008, responsible for complex and high profile criminal matters.”
“Since late 2008 Mr Down has been the Public Defender in the Northern region. He was the Convenor of the Auckland District Law Society’s Criminal Law Committee from 2007-08 and commenced a Master of Laws in Public Law this year. Judge Down’s UK background includes practising as a barrister, a Police Officer and a missionary.”
Judge Down, a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, says “my faith is important and has helped me to prepare for this new responsibility.”
“I believe in the worth of people,“ he said.