Get the best information from the best barristers and solicitors acting in driving offences in WA. You don't need to be a criminal lawyer to appear in driving offences. Whether you appear constantly in driving matters, or rarely, with over 250 people charged with drug driving each month and an average of 32 people killed in alcohol-related crashes every year you just can’t afford to miss this half day program that gives you crucial strategies when navigating drink, drug and dangerous driving offences, alongside expert legal advocacy tips for your next traffic offences matters.

Presenters

Tony Hager, Barrister/Criminal Lawyer, Geoffrey Miller Chambers
Tony has practiced as a Criminal Lawyer in Western Australia and Victoria for over 10 years. Tony has worked as In-House Counsel for both the Aboriginal Legal Service of WA and Victorian Aboriginal Legal Service. He has appeared as lead counsel in courts of summary jurisdiction, Children’s Court, District Court, County Court and Supreme Court for jury trials, pleas in mitigation and sentencing, contested bail applications and contested interlocutory hearings. Tony has also appeared on behalf of respondents in proceedings brought under the Dangerous Sex Offenders Act. He has particular expertise in traffic matters, including drink driving, driving whilst under suspension and reckless driving. Tony completed a Bachelor of Laws/Bachelor of Arts (Political Science) at the University of Western Australia in 2007 and Master of Laws (Criminal Justice) in 2012.


Oliver James Paxman, Director, Paxman & Paxman Barristers and Solicitors
Oliver works exclusively in criminal law. He is an experienced lawyer, having worked extensively as defence counsel and as a federal prosecutor at the Commonwealth Director of Public Prosecutions. Oliver has completed a Bachelor of Laws at the University of Notre Dame Australia, a Graduate Diploma of Legal Practice at the College of Law and is admitted as a legal practitioner in New South Wales and Western Australia. He has experience prosecuting and defending in a broad range of criminal matters including traffic matters, assaults, property offences, sex offences, customs offences, complex frauds, manslaughter, cyber-crimes, and people smuggling.


Matthew Townsend, Criminal Defence Lawyer & Founding Partner, Criminal Lawyers WA


Tabitha Raphael, Criminal Defence Barrister, Andrews Legal
Tabitha completed a Bachelor of Commerce, majoring in Economics and Business Law at UWA in 2015, during which time she developed an interest in the law which led her to commencing a Bachelor of Laws (Graduate Pathway) at Curtin University in 2016. After completing her Bachelor of Laws, Tabitha commenced her role as an Usher and later became an Associate to a Judge at the District Court of Western Australia. Tabitha commenced her Graduate Diploma in Legal Practice through the College of Law in 2019 and was awarded the 2019 PLT Excellence Award for Outstanding Achievement in Ethics and Professional Responsibility. In December 2019, Tabitha was admitted to the profession by the Supreme Court of Western Australia. In 2022, she was awarded one of the Doyle's Guide Rising Stars in Criminal Law award. Her practice areas include Drug-Related Offences and DUI & Drink Driving.


Jennifer Negus, Barrister, Murray Chambers
Jennifer practices in both the criminal and civil jurisdictions, including commercial and corporate disputes, regulatory and disciplinary matters, inquiries, and public prosecutions including prosecution and defence of Commonwealth and State criminal offences and misconduct. Jennifer is a member of the panel of external counsel for both the Commonwealth Director of Public Prosecutions and The Director of Public Prosecutions for Western Australia, as well as the Legal Aid WA serious indictable offences panel. Prior to joining Murray Chambers, Jennifer practiced in several areas including as a State Prosecutor at the Office of The Director of Public Prosecutions for Western Australia for over eight years. In that role, she prosecuted serious indictable offences in the Magistrates Court, District Court, Supreme Court and the Court of Appeal in Western Australia, including with the Civil Proceeds of Crime Division and under secondment to the Western Australia Police Prosecuting Division. Jennifer commenced her legal career as Research Assistant to The Hon Robert Cock KC, during his Honour’s tenure as The Director of Public Prosecutions for Western Australia. Jennifer has lectured for over 10 years in criminal law, constitutional law, professional responsibility and forensic advocacy for the Bachelor of Laws and Graduate Diploma of Legal Practice for both Curtin University and The University of Notre Dame Australia and is published in the fields of criminal law, constitutional law and evidence.