Kevin Cartledge and Sunny Munasinghe are available to take your enquiries between the hours of 8.30am and 5.00pm, Monday to Friday. Should you require urgent legal help please call 1800 CRIME1

Mark Howden acted for an 18 year old man who was involved in a jealous dispute in a Brisbane Hotel. He had never been in trouble and during the course of the dispute he head butted the other person, who required surgery to his nose. Our client then left the Hotel and ran across the roofs of three cars causing significant damage.  

In recent times, the Courts have come down harshly on violence of this type. After careful preparation, our client was able to provide to the Court some character references showing his otherwise excellent character and good work record. A conviction was not recorded and he was ordered to perform Community Service. He also agreed to pay compensation to the person he injured and the damage bill for the cars.

Howden Saggers Lawyers has recently purchased a busy Criminal Practice formally known as Inala Lawyers.  

The practice is situated in the Civic Centre at Inala. For further enquiries, please contact Kevin Cartledge or Peta Kerle on (07) 3714 9044.

Conviction Obstacle Overcome – RVM December 2008 

‘M’ was a non Australian citizen with professional qualifications from Europe who was establishing a unique school in

Brisbane in partnership with an international benevolent organization. A drink driving conviction would have prevented him from travelling overseas to some countries for his work and also had to be disclosed to his professional body in his home country upon his return to his career at home.  

Conviction Obstacle Overcome – RVH February 2009 

‘H’ was pleased not to expose himself to a possible conviction (recorded or unrecorded) for an offence under the Liquor Act (QLD) after an alternative resolution found following negotiations with police prosecutions.  

Conviction Obstacle Overcome – RVA March 2009 

‘M’ was a young tertiary student and the recording of a conviction may have created obstacles for his entry to his chosen profession and prevented him from exploiting his double degree major in a foreign language that created opportunities for employment.  

Charity Funds Stolen From School Collection – 27 February 2009 

Our client was employed at a primary school. She stole some money from a collection for a charity. Following negotiations with the police prosecutors, our client, who had repaid all the money, pleaded guilty and was placed on a good behaviour bond. Significantly, a conviction was not recorded.

People caught driving whilst illicit drugs are in their system, can be charged with one of two offences. If the prosecution can prove that they were under the influence of a drug they can be charged with the more serious offence of driving under the influence of a drug which carries maximum penalties of a fine of $2,800.00 or 9 months imprisonment and a mandatory minimum driver’s licence disqualification of 6 months. If convicted of this offence, you are not able to make application for a work license. 

Alternately, you can be charged with driving whilst a relevant drug is your present in your blood or saliva. The maximum penalties for that offence are a fine of $1,400.00 or imprisonment for not more than 3 months. The mandatory minimum driver’s licence disqualification period is 1 month. So long as you are not on a probationary licence or on a no alcohol driving requirement, you are able to make application for a work licence if other criteria are met.  It is important therefore to determine whether or not the proper charge is one of driving under the influence of a drug (a more serious offence), or one of driving whilst a relevant drug is present in your blood or saliva.

To ensure that you get a fair trial it is vital to know all the relevant evidence the police have in their possession. Experienced criminal lawyers will ensure that all evidence is obtained and you are fully advised as to the case against you. This will enable you to make an informed decision about what to do. Recently, Mark Howden presented a paper on the Disclosure of Evidence to masters students in criminal law at the University of Queensland. A copy is attached. Trends in Disclosure