Enhance your practical skills and understanding with expert insights into the essentials of driving offences. Unpack the law and practice for both serious traffic offences and the less common driving offences with real-world examples, case law updates and practical strategies so that you can act in these matters effectively and with confidence. Ensure that you are up to date on the science behind drug and alcohol testing to properly use forensic evidence to your advantage in your next matter. An opportunity not to be missed.

Presenters

Amanda Pappas, Principal, Pappas & Roberts Lawyers
Amanda is passionate about advocating for your rights and making sure your story is heard. Amanda is an Accredited Specialist in Criminal Law, and since 2014, has worked at some of Sydney’s top defence firms. She regularly appears in Courts across Australia, from the High Court of Australia to the Supreme, District, and Local Courts of New South Wales. Over the years, Amanda has worked with people at some of the most difficult moments in their lives, when their freedom, reputation and future were on the line. What she has learned is that quality legal representation is not just about knowing the law. It's about listening, dedication and meticulous preparation. It’s about standing up when others stay silent, fighting with integrity, and delivering when it matters most. As a member of the NSW Law Society’s Accredited Criminal Law Specialist Committee, Amanda brings expertise and a personalised commitment to every case she takes on. When it matters most, she is right by your side, protecting your rights and defending your future.

John Sutton, Consultant, John Suttton Associates
John is the Principal of John Sutton Law. He is a Law Society of NSW Accredited Specialist in criminal law, the only one in Orange and one of three on the Central West. Prior to setting up John Sutton Law, John was one of the Directors of J Sutton Associates based in Sydney, and before that the national practice director of a major law firm and the national executive director of criminal law with staff in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Canberra, and, for a period, in Perth. John commenced his legal work as a police officer for the Metropolitan Police Force in London. In 1992, he joined the NSW Police Force and spent many years as a police prosecutor, prosecuting thousands of matters. He commenced private practice, mainly in criminal law, in 1999. In 2005, John worked in the Victorian Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions, prosecuting corrupt Victoria Police Drug Squad officers, in what was known as the Underbelly Drug Wars. John returned to NSW in 2009 and commenced as a senior solicitor in the criminal law division of a firm which, at the time, practised in family law and crime. John rose to be a joint Managing Partner of that firm and was party to its planning and growth to five capital cities, three practice areas and about 100 staff at its height. In 2020 John decided to re-focus his efforts on his own practice, and J. Sutton Associates was incorporated. Now the time has come to move to the Central West of NSW and practice based in Orange and surrounds including Bathurst Blayney and beyond. Over his legal career, John has advised thousands of clients on criminal and criminal related matters. He has appeared in the Local, District and Supreme Courts of NSW, as well as in the Federal Court of Australia and the Magistrates, County and Supreme Courts of Victoria. He has also instructed in trials before the District and Supreme Courts, in the Court of Criminal Appeal (CCA), and the High Court of Australia. John has appeared in coercive examinations of clients in Crime Commission (NSW), the Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC), the Australian Crime Commission (now the Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission (ACIC)), the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC), the Company Auditors and Liquidators Disciplinary Board (CALDB) and the Administrative Appeals Tribunal (AAT). He has also appeared in the Guardianship Tribunal and the Nurses and Midwifery Tribunal of NSW.

Jasmina Ceic, Partner, Nyman Gibson Miralis
Jasmina Ceic is a partner and defence lawyer at Nyman Gibson Miralis. She holds a Masters of Law and Legal Practice and is an accomplished criminal trial advocate, having completed advocacy training with the Australian Advocacy Institute. Jasmina advises and acts in complex criminal law matters at all levels of the court system, with a specialist focus on serious matters that proceed to trial in the Superior Courts. Jasmina has represented persons accused of serious traffic matters and has a particular interest in defended traffic matters. Jasmina has also represented persons charged with murder, sexual assault, complex international fraud, transnational money laundering, cybercrime, large commercial drug supply, and global drug importations. Jasmina was named by the 2023 Doyles Guide as a leading lawyer in criminal defence and traffic law.


Angela Cooney, National Practice Director, Armstrong Legal
Angela Cooney is the National Practice Director of Criminal Law and is responsible for supervising and managing her Criminal Law team in addition to her own caseload. She practices in both NSW and the ACT. Angela is an Accredited Criminal Law Specialist. Angela is a confident and formidable advocate for her clients. She commonly appears in very complex and serious matters but is able to assist clients with all kinds of criminal and traffic offences. Angela is an experienced court advocate having appeared in the Local and District Court, the Court of Criminal Appeal as well as in federal jurisdictions in a multitude of matters, including complex strictly indictable trials. With over a decade of experience in criminal law, Angela understands the often interrelated issues that arise in criminal matters and is able to guide clients through emotional and difficult times with sensitivity. Angela is passionate about providing clients with high quality and easy to understand legal advice and her experience allows her to provide clients with a first-class service. Not only is she a technically impeccable lawyer who understands the law – she is approachable and personable and provides her clients with representation to the highest quality.

Dr Michael Robertson, Director and Clinical Consultant, Independent Forensic Consulting
Dr Robertson is a nationally recognised expert in the effects of drugs and alcohol, including the effects of drugs on driving, with over 30 years of professional experience. He prepares reports and testifies in all Australian States and Territories and the Asia Pacific region across all Courts levels. Dr Robertson is able to assist in a range of matters where drugs or alcohol may play a role, including Criminal Law, Family Law, Personal Injury and Medical Negligence. In relation to traffic matters, Dr Robertson's early research in relation to the involvement of drugs in driving led to the implementation of roadside drug testing in Victoria and then throughout Australia. Dr Robertson routinely provides assistance in relation to determining blood alcohol concentration at the time of an incident, including where post-incident alcohol consumption is involved, the level of driving impairment that may occur at various blood alcohol concentrations and the impact of drugs including illicit and prescription medications, and whether the breath or blood testing has been performed correctly. Having previously been the Chair of the recent updates of the Standards Australia Urine Drug Testing Standard and the Oral Fluid Standard, he is currently the Chair of the Standard Australia’s technical committee (CH-039) that is responsible for the ‘Detection and Analysis of Drugs in Specimens of Human Origin’, providing advice to industry on the proper method of undertaking these types of tests across Australia and New Zealand.

Aaron Roberts, Principle, Pappas & Roberts Lawyers
Aaron Roberts is an Accredited Specialist in Criminal Law and a Principal Lawyer at Pappas & Roberts Lawyers in Sydney. Since 2016, Aaron has practised exclusively in criminal defence, working with some of Sydney’s leading firms and developing a reputation for his sharp legal insight, detailed preparation, and persuasive advocacy. He has appeared in all jurisdictions across New South Wales, as well as instructing in matters in the Federal Court and the High Court of Australia.