I am not inclined to discuss the principle of separation of powers any further. It's a concept you either understand or you don't, and despite Chris' comments, it remains vital to ensure that political interference doesn't send innocent people to jail, or the law is manipulated at a political whim.

In regard to Chris' comments, the cyclist having a good lawyer is irrelevant when it comes to hearing criminal charges against the perpetrator. Providing there are very close parallels between the Australian and NZ systems, the case will be heard either in the Magistrate's Court with police doing the prosecution, or if in the Criminal Court, the Crown Prosecutor will present the case. The victim may be called as a witness and herein lies the catch -- if the perpetrator pleads not guilty, as is his right, and it goes through the typical court system, the case will likely be adjourned to a date when Russ is no longer in the country, and that may well weaken the prosecution case.

Russ may need a good lawyer if he chooses to pursue this as a civil matter, although the best he probably could hope for is refund of his medical expenses and maybe damage to his bike, and it's unlikely those actions would go through the courts. Otherwise, he would likely kiss goodbye to his legal costs, too... the perpetrator certainly doesn't appear to have any significant assets to chase for damages.