Ever been to court?

Dave!

Hey folks,

I went to court yesterday. A friend of mine broke a red light and had to appear in Tallaght District. I had never been in court before so went along for the experience (and the laugh!).

The Garda didn't show up for my mate's case, so it was thrown out (or whatever the terminology is... think it's "struck out").

But you can imagine -- it being Tallaght -- the young go-getters who were also in court on that day It was mainly driving offences, so wasn't terribly exciting unforunately... One bloke had 16 prior convictions and was given somethin like 200 hours community service (if he didn't do them he'd go to jail). Another bloke went to jail for 4 months... I'm pretty sure it was for a driving offence too, but I missed the specifics. Another bloke was supposed to be charged with drug dealing, but don't think the Garda showed up either (the accused just identified himself and then left 5 seconds later...).

In general it was a pretty strange experience. There was alot of people walking around (which I thought wasnt allowed in court), lawyers talking to their clients (the lawyers all had several clients in court at the same time for different offences), Gardaí sitting around having a laugh....... most of the cases took a matter of a few minutes, although the lawyers argued/asked the Garda questions in a few of them.

I'm thinkin I'll drop into somethin a bit more interesting next time, like the High Court... Can you go to cases held in the Special Criminal Court? I know there's no jury, but I woulda thought the public would still be allowed go.

Have ye ever been to court? Any good stories? Obviously don't tell us all about your murder trial , but any you feel like telling us about, go ahead!

Cheers!

connundrum

I got to the door of the High Court before, but my case was settled before we actually got in. I was quite disappointed

Huggles

connundrum wrote: »

I got to the door of the High Court before, but my case was settled before we actually got in. I was quite disappointed

How much did ya get

Looks like im going to court next month, witness for a garda

Rob_l

why is it strange that people were talking to their solicitors?

why is it strange the solicitors working out of a certain court have many clients there?

Go on OP admit it you were there for robbing a car

who was the judge james paul mcdonnell?

thebman

Never been, don't want to go to be on either side. I'll just end up mad when I leave no matter what happens in the court room I imagine be it people getting off or guards not turning up or getting such a small sentence for a violent crime that the person might as well be back on the street without going to jail.

Dave!

Rob_l wrote: »

why is it strange that people were talking to their solicitors?

It was strange to me because I had assumed that it would be a more formal affair where everyone had to be quiet and only move when called upon! But the solicitors were walking around the court, chatting and having a laugh with clients, talking to the Gardaí, etc. Was just different to what I had anticipated.

Rob_l wrote: »

why is it strange the solicitors working out of a certain court have many clients there?

Because I did not know that solicitors only work out of certain courts!

Rob_l wrote: »

Go on OP admit it you were there for robbing a car

I'll rob YORE car if you don't shut up asking questions!!!

Rob_l

DaveMcG wrote: »

It was strange to me because I had assumed that it would be a more formal affair where everyone had to be quiet and only move when called upon! But the solicitors were walking around the court, chatting and having a laugh with clients, talking to the Gardaí, etc. Was just different to what I had anticipated.



Because I did not know that solicitors only work out of certain courts!



I'll rob YORE car if you don't shut up asking questions!!!

its only a district court more serious matters are moved to high court criminal courts and then you get specialist solicitors and barristers

as you noticed all were fairly minor matters drunk and disorderly driving offences getting dates set

January

You can go to the courts and look up the cases for that day. Some of them may be "in camera" therefore you cannot view them from the public gallery. www.courts.ie has a legal diary where you can see the cases being held for the next day.

Usually courts 23 and 24 have cases that you can view.

Senna

The fella charged with drug dealing, was it struck out as well cause the Garda didn't showed up? Probably not.

Do the garda not get a rollicking for not turning up to court, bit of a waist catching people breaking the law, then not turning up to the court.

Zaph

connundrum wrote: »

I got to the door of the High Court before, but my case was settled before we actually got in. I was quite disappointed

I actually got to the point where we were sitting in the courtroom before the case was settled. The judge came out a couple of minutes later, my barrister informed him that a settlement had been reached and he dismissed the case. took about 10 seconds.

Did jury duty once, didn't really enjoy that as there was a lot of hanging around waiting to see if you were picked each day. I did get selected for one jury but the case was dismissed after an hour or two of discussions in the courtroom while the jury were locked in our room. Apparently it was a re-trial and the case was dismissed because the arrest warrant for the original arrest had been lost. A Garda told us it happens all the time. :rolleyes:

The district court is faily boring (except for the Bridewell - knackers downing Bacardi Breezers before heading into court :eek:). Head into the four courts if you want to see something more interesting.

Voodu Child

Yep, got a week off work to do jury duty, but never got picked, so went home back to bed every day. Plus they have free hot-chocolate vending machines in the waiting room. Best week evar.

Pherekydes

Yep, for an unpaid parking ticket!

Judge: Warden, what happened?

Warden: On the day and date in question, car number 123 xyz was par...

Judge [looking at charge sheet]: What was that number again?

Warden [peering hard at own notes]: emmm, 123 xyy, I think...

Judge: You mean you can't even read your own notes? You're wasting the court's time and the time of this gentleman. Case dismissed.

Me [vaulting judge's bench to kiss Judge on cheek]: Woooooo Hooooooooooo!*

The clerk of the court, a Garda Sgt, proceeded to rip the poor warden a new one. Fully deserved I might add.



*This may have been more of a pathetic sigh of relief and a mouse-like exit through the door. No vaulting may have been involved.

Rob_l

Senna wrote: »

The fella charged with drug dealing, was it struck out as well cause the Garda didn't showed up? Probably not.

Do the garda not get a rollicking for not turning up to court, bit of a waist catching people breaking the law, then not turning up to the court.

you cant really "rollick" someone if they are not there though eh

constitutionus

accompanied my brother to the family law court. took about 5yrs to get everything sorted

put me right off marriage after what i saw there. trust me lads, we dont ever come out of that place well.

Senna

Rob_l wrote: »

you cant really "rollick" someone if they are not there though eh

By their sargent or someone high up in the garda afterwards?

Dave!

Rob_l wrote: »

you cant really "rollick" someone if they are not there though eh

I presume he means off their superiors in the Gardaí rather than the judge

Not sure about the drug dealing thing... I didn't actually hear that (they dont put speakers at the back unfortunately ), but my mates heard it and said it was dismissed, dunno why though.

johnnyskeleton

DaveMcG wrote: »

I'm thinkin I'll drop into somethin a bit more interesting next time, like the High Court... Can you go to cases held in the Special Criminal Court? I know there's no jury, but I woulda thought the public would still be allowed go.

You can go, but you get searched first. Also, it's not on every day so check what's on first. Those guys are hardcore though, so don't be sniggering in the background.

L1011

Got called for jury duty but was able to pull the "still in secondary school" approach to avoid it at the time (I had only just registered to vote and all), and while I've taken and won three small claims court cases I've never attended the 'hearing' - only one of them went to a hearing, the other two got won by default due to the companies never turning up...

Terry

Went to Kilmainham court with a friend who was up on an assault charge.
I would not recommend that place to anyone.

It was funny when the junkie was sent down and his girlfriend started ranting at the judge, so the judge sent her down too. Overall though, quite a scary place.

Was in Richmond court on the 3rd of last month on traffic charges.
Back for sentencing on the 12th of next month.

Most cases were struck out that day.
The cop in chargeof my case had to turn up though.

Ahh well. You break the law, you face the consequences. No-one to blame but myself.

Ace2007

broke a red light? as in drove through or hit it with a baseball bat since its in tallaght - either are possibile...

connundrum

TheGooner wrote: »

How much did ya get

A five year lesson in how not to spend money as it turned out

Ah well ya win some and lose some.

I will add that I've narrowly avoided court in both my lines of work. Thank fook for company solicitors who 'take care of things.'

boneless

I kept getting parking tickets from Monaghan county council. I ignored them (foolishly!!) until one day my local Garda appeared and issued me with a summons . I had to go to Monaghan, appear before the judge and explain that I was never in Monaghan before so how could my Honda 250cc motorbike (which had a Cavan reg) be parked in such and such a place?

At this stage the County Council legal bloke asked for the charges to be struck out... I asked the judge why this was happening as I had been unduly (in my opinion) harrassed. The judge agreed and asked the question for me. It turned out that the vehicle to which the tickets were issued was a Ford Cortina... it had , it later transpired, false reg plates.

The judge gave out stink to the CC legal bloke and basically told me I should pursue the issue in a legal way!! I just said an apology would do and my expenses be paid for the day I lost from work etc. They were very grateful, I must say!!

ScumLord

MYOB wrote: »

Got called for jury duty but was able to pull the "still in secondary school" approach to avoid it at the time (I had only just registered to vote and all),

I'd love to do Jury duty.

Me: He's guilty
Judge: But we haven't even heard the case yet
Me: He's guilty, I know by the look of him
Judge: We have procedures and..
Me: Your guilty too! Your all guilty! God will punish you all!!

My 2 year suspended sentence is up in February, soon I can be bold again.

zuutroy

I hate the idea of having to stand up when a judge comes in. What did this pompous high brow ****er do to earn my respect. NOTHING! He's a public servant. He should stand when I come in.

Trojan911

DaveMcG wrote: »

Have ye ever been to court?

Yes. Witness for the prosecution when a fella cut me up on the motorbike.

Turned up, sat on a hard chair for about three hours went for lunch and then sat for another hour and a half on a hard chair.

Finally got called to give my evidence, got asked one question by his defence brief.

He was found guilty & got spanked with a €700 fine, 4 points & ordered to pay me €150 in expenses + whatever his brief charged.

Overall, there was no need for me to have stayed up the night before and watch several episodes of LA Law and the movie 'A Few Good Men'.

_blank_

Went to court with a mate who was up for pissing in the street.

The Garda never arrived, so was struck out.

Now, I witnessed a bad assault in Temple Bar a couple of years ago.

Gave a long statement to the Gardaí about it, and never heard back.

Moved to Australia for a year, when the Gardaí rang me. My mate had given them my number. They wanted me to be a witness for the case.

They flew me home from Sydney. I arrived home at 10.30 on a Monday morning to be in court the Tuesday. As I sat down to a lovely mammy cooked fry, the Gardaí rang me, and said the fecker had pleaded guilty, and I wasn't needed.

Back on the plane, and back to the Sydney beaches.

:mad:

Dave!

hah How many days did ye get at home then? Just the 1? Pain in the arse flying all that way........

Dinxminx

In and out of the courts almost every day but not because I've been bold; mostly just running errands and visiting people!

_blank_

DaveMcG wrote: »

hah How many days did ye get at home then? Just the 1? Pain in the arse flying all that way........

Ah no.

Fair play to the Gardaí. They were paying my loss of earnings from my job back in Aus too. They gave me a week, but I said I'd like a fortnight.

They only paid wages for a week though.

Anyway, as I was on my to the airport for the flights back, we got a phonecall. My Granny had died

Luckily enough, the airlines were very understanding, and changed all my flights, and I stayed for the funeral festivities.

Femelade

i'm just back from court. there's a warrant for my ex's arrest..whoo!