The lawyer representing the son of the Maori King has told a court the black mark of a conviction against his client's name could end his chances of being the heir to his father's throne.
Korotangi Paki has previously admitted being five times over the youth alcohol driving limit and stealing surfboards with three friends in Gisborne.
The 19-year-old pleaded guilty in May this year to two burglary charges, one of theft from a car and an earlier charge of drink-driving. The Crown is seeking to overturn an Auckland District Court judge's decision in July to grant a discharge without conviction.
Mr Paki's lawyer Paul Wicks, QC, told the High Court in Auckland this morning his client was only 18 at the time.
He said since then Mr Paki had undergone counselling, taken part in a programme for young drink drivers and a restorative justice seminar with the victims of his thefts.
Mr Wicks said a conviction could mean Mr Paki's name was not put forward to be the heir to the Maori throne.
Crown lawyer Mathew Downs said it appeared that decision could be made because of the bad publicity, not the conviction.
He said the Crown was not seeking a sentence other than a conviction noted against Mr Paki's name.
Justice Woolford has reserved his decision.
