The father of murder victim Sophie Elliott was forced to read a heavily censored version of his victim impact statement to her killer in court.

A smiling Millie Elder left court today after police dropped three serious drug charges against her.

The estranged wife of convicted murderer Tony Worrell says she regrets not doing more to make him stay home the night he drove into two cars.

Mikey Havoc amassed at least $20,000 in traffic fines over a number of years but asked the Waitakere District Court to convert the fines into community work.

Judith Collins' 'Crusher' nickname comes from her boy-racer policy but also feeds into her self-styled image as Govt hardwoman.

A criminal defence barrister suspended from working as a legal aid lawyer has been paid more than $2.5 million from the public purse.

MPs today passed a law that by 2011 will allow police to take DNA samples from anyone they intend charging with an imprisonable offence.