Solicitors - Court?

irish life

I am up in court on Wedensday for breach of the peace (I was drunk and can't remember a thing). It was my first ever arrest and apparently I was fighting with a few others when the police came and I could have been in a serious condition if the police hadn't came. The fella's that I was fighting were up in court for a more serious charge. Also, the guard said I was with others when they came and they ran off, nobody knew I was arrested so I don't know who was supposed to be with me.

Anyway, I won't get anything more than a fine so will I need a solicitor? I definitely wouldn't get a solicitor if I could remember what actually happened but I don't know what to say to the judge. I was told there will be solicitors up there, is this true?

Any more info to calm my nerves would be appreciated.

Thanks.

FreaK_BrutheR

Judges like it when u dress nice and have a solicitor. It makes them feel you are taking the ordeal seriously. Its very unlikely they'll do anything either way however other than give you a fine. If u defend yourself be sure and put forward some kind of bumf about being poor and earning low wages/being a student/unemployed and he'll be leniant on the fine which you WILL recieve. It also helps to know the gaurd who is going against you. do you know him....will he be pissed at you. Be prepared. Its no big deal anyway you just got drunk and got arreseted.

I could tell you about .....

jank

well it looks like you dont care about the charge so why bother right!?

dont be too sure it will be brushed off so lightly too by the judge either!

Ronaldo7

take it easy...you will be fine. Thats all ill say.

rymus

heres hoping youre not up in front of Patwell.... just in case you are, you best get your ma to start baking cakes with files in em now

Victor

If you are on low income you should be able to get free legal aid. At most court sittings there should be a free legal aid solicitor around. www.flac.ie should be able to give you names.

Lay off the booze and tell the solicitor you are doing so.

Eat humble pie.

irish life

Originally posted by FreaK_BrutheR
It also helps to know the gaurd who is going against you. do you know him....will he be pissed at you?

I have seen the guard a couple of times and we had a chat. We have nothing against each other, it was the DPP that got me charged.

well it looks like you dont care about the charge so why bother right!?

I never said I didn't care about the charge, I just know for an absolute fact that I will just be getting a fine. I never heard of anyone getting a sentence for breach of the piece on their first charge.

As I said the only reason I want a solicitor is becuase I can't remember a thing that happened and wouldn't have a clue what to say to the judge. When I go up to the court tomorrow, what exactly would I say to a solicitor and how could he/she have time to read the file? If I don't get a solicitor should I tell the judge I don't remember a thing?

Thanks.

wolfman

You'd be surprised how quick solicitors and barristers bring themselves up to speed on a case. You might never have met them until the morning of the court, but they will know your story by the time you get in.

Take it from me. My barrister met me for the first time one morning and was given about 6 years worth of stuff for family law for a few hours later.

Its their job. They are well used to it.

Oh yeah. One other thing....... as FreaK_BrutheR says....... dress up nice.
The judges are funny about that. They like to feel that the court and themselves are being respected. Get yourself a shirt and tie.

Break a leg

Shaque attack

Break a leg

i dont think limping in on crutches will help his case

irish life

Originally posted by wolfman
You'd be surprised how quick solicitors and barristers bring themselves up to speed on a case. You might never have met them until the morning of the court, but they will know your story by the time you get in.

Take it from me. My barrister met me for the first time one morning and was given about 6 years worth of stuff for family law for a few hours later.

Its their job. They are well used to it.

Oh yeah. One other thing....... as FreaK_BrutheR says....... dress up nice.
The judges are funny about that. They like to feel that the court and themselves are being respected. Get yourself a shirt and tie.

Break a leg

Cheers wolfman but what do I say to the solicitors when I go into the courtroom? Do I say something like "will you represent me"?

wolfman

I dont know what you would do really. I had my solicitor already, but its the barrister who stood up and argued my case in court.

If you don't have one already, I dont know what the story is. I presume you would be just as well off going yourself and eat humble pie BIGGGG TIME!!!!

Yes Sir! No Sir! etc......
I had just lost my job/girlfriend/wife etc and went drinking and I cant handle it and havent done so since and I can assure you it'll never happen again and I'd like to donate a few quid to Alcoholics Anonymous!!!!



Sorry if I seem like I am taking the p1ss, but it's practically like that. Grovel loads and THEN.....grovel more!

Best of luck

Jim

Are you in the District Court? I assume you are.

If so then don't bother your arse with a solicitor. Just dress nice and apologise for your behaviour. You wouldn't believe the amount of shit they get in there, can be quite entertaining. The fact that you turn up in a nice suit and not your favourite shiney tracksuit will probably pull the most weight.

Actually, now I think about it, the whole Anabells case atm probably has judges leaning harder on drunken brawls.

Tbh you should only get a few hours community service and a fine. Just don't tell him that you were too drunk to remember anything.

wolfman

GULP!!!!

Has he come back?? Did it all go horribly wrong???

irish life..... how did it go?