Business Details
24 Years
experience
Trusted Criminal Law Representation in Queensland
Established in 2002, Howden Saggers Lawyers has built an enviable reputation as a leading criminal law firm on the Gold Coast and in Brisbane. Our team of passionate, hardworking practitioners is dedicated to delivering the highest standard of advocacy for clients facing criminal, quasi-criminal, and related legal matters. With over two decades of collective experience, we specialise exclusively in criminal law, ensuring deep expertise while collaborating with other specialists when clients face multiple legal proceedings.We prioritise ongoing legal education to maintain accurate, up-to-date advice and have earned recognition for our compassionate representation in high-stakes cases. Our legacy, built by founding partners who ascended to the Magistracy in 2017 and 2019, continues through our commitment to protecting client rights at every stage of the justice process.
Services
Criminal Law
Traffic Offences
Domestic Violence
Child Protection
Coronial Inquests
Investigative Hearings
Judicial Reviews
Parole Applications
Proceeds of Crime
Regional Representation
Details
- Year established: 2002
Highlights and features
- We offer over 20 years of dedicated criminal law expertise in Queensland.
- Our exclusive focus on criminal law ensures deep specialisation and strategic insight.
- We collaborate with specialists to protect client interests across interconnected legal matters.
- Our team provides compassionate representation during high-stakes judicial processes.
- We serve regional Queensland clients with the same rigorous legal standards as metropolitan areas.
Services
Criminal Law
Our criminal law practice provides strategic representation for clients facing charges ranging from minor traffic infringements to serious criminal allegations. With decades of combined experience, we guide clients through complex judicial processes while safeguarding their rights. Our exclusive focus on criminal law ensures deep expertise in defending matters that could result in life-altering consequences.
Traffic Offences
Specialised legal representation for traffic law matters including drink driving, drug driving, and licence disqualification issues. We help clients understand mandatory penalties, pursue work licence applications, and challenge charges that threaten employment or family responsibilities. Our team regularly presents at Queensland Traffic Offenders Program courses across South East Queensland.
Domestic Violence
We represent clients in domestic violence matters involving protection order applications, breaches, and variations. Our solicitors provide compassionate guidance through emotionally charged proceedings while protecting client rights in both family and criminal court jurisdictions. We also advise on intersections between domestic violence charges and other legal matters.
Child Protection
Legal advocacy for parents facing child protection orders from Queensland's Department of Child Safety. We represent clients in temporary assessment orders, custody disputes, and long-term guardianship cases while explaining complex court processes. Our team helps families navigate the transition of care responsibilities and challenge inappropriate state interventions.
Coronial Inquests
Representation during coronial investigations into reportable deaths, including inquests and findings. We assist families seeking answers about loved ones' deaths and represent individuals involved in incidents resulting in fatalities. Our solicitors ensure clients understand coronial processes and protect their interests during public interest inquests.
People
Bettina Webb
Director
Bettina Webb leads the firm's strategic direction with extensive criminal law experience. She specialises in complex litigation and mentoring junior solicitors while maintaining active court representation.
Nicole Conlan
Senior Associate
Nicole Conlan manages high-profile criminal defence cases with a focus on drug-related charges. She combines courtroom advocacy with client-focused communication to explain complex legal processes.
Zane Chapman
Associate
Zane Chapman specialises in traffic law and regional Queensland cases. He provides practical legal solutions for clients facing licence disqualifications and driving-related criminal charges.
Nick Ware
Associate
Nick Ware focuses on domestic violence and child protection matters. He represents clients in both criminal and family court jurisdictions to address interconnected legal challenges.
Rachel Carson
Solicitor
Rachel Carson handles coronial inquests and investigative hearings. She advises clients on compliance with summons while protecting their legal interests during public interest investigations.
Questions
What areas of law does Howden Saggers Lawyers specialise in?
We specialise exclusively in criminal law, including traffic offences, domestic violence, child protection, coronial inquests, and related quasi-criminal matters across Queensland.
Can you help with serious criminal charges?
Yes, our team has decades of experience defending serious criminal allegations, from drug trafficking to violent offences, ensuring robust legal representation at every court level.
Do you represent clients outside Brisbane and Gold Coast?
We provide legal services across regional Queensland, offering the same high-standard representation through strategic case management and local court appearances.
How do you handle cases with multiple legal issues?
When matters intersect with family law, immigration, or workplace issues, we collaborate with specialists while maintaining central criminal law representation to protect client interests.
What happens during a coronial inquest?
A coroner investigates reportable deaths, potentially holding inquests for custody-related or public-interest cases. We guide clients through evidence presentation and ensure their interests are represented.
Can I get legal help for traffic offences?
Yes, we defend traffic charges including drink driving, licence disqualifications, and hooning offences, with expertise in work licence applications and penalty mitigation.
