Court on tuesday over weed. Please help.

Sc2015ire15

I recently got caught with a tiny amount of weed, makings of a joint actually.
I am in court for it on Tuesday, can anybody give me an idea of what will happen regarding fines ect?
I am currently unemployed and will not have any money going to court as I will be using what I have to get to court, and I also will not have a solicitor, will I be okay without one?
This is my first time in court and my first offence.

OneOfThem

Sc2015ire15 wrote: »

I recently got caught with a tiny amount of weed, makings of a joint actually.
I am in court for it on Tuesday, can anybody give me an idea of what will happen regarding fines ect?
I am currently unemployed and will not have any money going to court as I will be using what I have to get to court, and I also will not have a solicitor, will I be okay without one?
This is my first time in court and my first offence.

Nothing basically. No fine. You'll be given the benefit of the probation act. Which means essentially a warning. No conviction, no fine, no nothing. You're grand.

Penny Tration

Tbh, I'd totally disregard the above. It depends entirely on the judge.
Not having a solicitor is a bad move. As is not having money for the 'poor box' in lieu of a conviction.

To be blunt - you should have immediately gone and applied for legal aid when you got a summons.

All you can do is apologise and hope for the best. Chances are it'll be a fine or something, but like I said, depends on the judge

ArtyC

A solicitor would be better. You should get a slap on the wrist and a fine.

You will have it in your record. Look you'll be fine. Just not worth carrying weed with you in future. Best of luck

MrWalsh

I think it will depend on the judge.

It does not sound favourable that you are on social welfare and had money for weed tbh.

LadyFenghuang

Jenny Thalia wrote: »

Tbh, I'd totally disregard the above. It depends entirely on the judge.
Not having a solicitor is a bad move. As is not having money for the 'poor box' in lieu of a conviction.

To be blunt - you should have immediately gone and applied for legal aid when you got a summons.

All you can do is apologise and hope for the best. Chances are it'll be a fine or something, but like I said, depends on the judge

I don't think we here can actually tell you what you can hope to expect. We are not legal experts. I have not the first iota about legal aid or what will happen in front of a judge.

I have never smoked weed or taken drugs. I have never been in court had issues with the police at all. I don't even have a police record let alone a criminal record. I am possibly not the one to ask.

One poster seems to suggest what happens in one case will happen for you I don't think this would be the case.

I would actually think your being unemployed would look bad to a judge. I could be wrong. But in connection to a drug conviction it might not be in your favor.

If you are convicted it will affect things you are able to do very negatively i think you should get expert advice even if it's free. Find someone who can tell you if you are entitled to legal aid or not.

uck51js9zml2yt

whatever you do, dont be the hard man in court or excuse what you did. accept responsibility, show remorse and promise not to use again.

The judge may ask you why you were using, have a valid reason just in case.

zoobizoo

When you're outside the court, keep an eye out for a solicitor and just say "sorry, could I trouble you for some advice?" - I did this recently over a speeding fine and the solicitor advised me and then a few other people...

Try to dress as best you can, be clear in your answers, speak confidently and don't mumble, call the judge 'Judge' and apologise and say that you won't do it again.

Usually it starts off with "how do you plead?"

Good luck.

Stella11

I think you should get a solicitor. As you're unemployed you will probably qualify for free legal aid. More than likely with an ok judge you will get probation act if you plead guilty and have no previous. Ring one of the criminal law specialists first thing Monday and tell them you're in court tues and they'll fit you in for a consultation. Ring Sheehan and partners or michael hanahoe or Michael Staines.

Mr. Incognito

Hite a solicitor, learn their cost

Dont hire one learn their value.

Don't be stupid twice.

Tokyo

Sorry Sc2015ire15,

as has been pointed out already in the thread, none of us are experts on the law here, and as per the forum rules, offering legal advice is forbidden here - this is for your own protection more than anything else.

The best advice I can give you is to treat this as a learning experience, and you have concerns, talk to your solicitor. Best of luck with your court appearance next week, but for now, thread closed.

Regards,
Mike