Basic info on a court case

bobbyss

I am non legal person so would be grateful for some info.

I saw a case listed in courts.ie in the special criminal court. As far as I know it has been going on for about a week. In courts.ie every day it says 'continuing' or something like that. I think its a sexual assault case.

Generally, how long does such a case go on for?
Would there be a jury at that case?
Where is the special criminal court? Can I go to the case?
When the case is finished, how soon afterwards would there be a report of it on courts.ie? I am presuming there would be a report of it?
Would there be a sentence the same day as it finishes?

Thank you.

Pro Hoc Vice

bobbyss wrote: »

I am non legal person so would be grateful for some info.

I saw a case listed in courts.ie in the special criminal court. As far as I know it has been going on for about a week. In courts.ie every day it says 'continuing' or something like that. I think its a sexual assault case.

Generally, how long does such a case go on for?
Would there be a jury at that case?
Where is the special criminal court? Can I go to the case?
When the case is finished, how soon afterwards would there be a report of it on courts.ie? I am presuming there would be a report of it?
Would there be a sentence the same day as it finishes?

Thank you.

The Special Criminal Court is a non jury court that was originally set up to deal with terrorism cases but not also deals with some organised crime cases, where a jury trial is not possible. It's a 3 judge court.

A case goes on as long as it goes on is the simple answer. To the best of my knowledge you can go to a special criminal court case, expect security it will be in the CCJ building on park gate street. There may or may not be a report in the media or on courts.ie. It's possible that sentence maybe imposed the same day as verdict, but more usual to put back to another day to get necessary reports etc.
http://www.courts.ie/Courts.ie/Library3.nsf/pagecurrent/41C06A30E5FEDA7B80256D870050508C

bobbyss

Pro Hoc Vice wrote: »

The Special Criminal Court is a non jury court that was originally set up to deal with terrorism cases but not also deals with some organised crime cases, where a jury trial is not possible. It's a 3 judge court.

A case goes on as long as it goes on is the simple answer. To the best of my knowledge you can go to a special criminal court case, expect security it will be in the CCJ building on park gate street. There may or may not be a report in the media or on courts.ie. It's possible that sentence maybe imposed the same day as verdict, but more usual to put back to another day to get necessary reports etc.
http://www.courts.ie/Courts.ie/Library3.nsf/pagecurrent/41C06A30E5FEDA7B80256D870050508C

Thanks for feedback.

In courts.ie there is a section called judgements and determinations.

I would have thought there would have been a report of all cases reported in courtes.ie?

If I am a woman and I live next door to Joe Bloggs who I know to be on trial for rape and I do not wish to go to the court for safety reasons. I don't want him to see me or know that I was there. So how can I find out about the details of the case? Of what was said etc? Would there not be a public record/transcript of the case available? Would I have any right to see these details as a member of the public? What info is available to me?

Thank you for your response.

Pro Hoc Vice

bobbyss wrote: »

Thanks for feedback.

In courts.ie there is a section called judgements and determinations.

I would have thought there would have been a report of all cases reported in courtes.ie?

If I am a woman and I live next door to Joe Bloggs who I know to be on trial for rape and I do not wish to go to the court for safety reasons. I don't want him to see me or know that I was there. So how can I find out about the details of the case? Of what was said etc? Would there not be a public record/transcript of the case available? Would I have any right to see these details as a member of the public? What info is available to me?

Thank you for your response.

Not all cases end in a written judgement. Very few criminal cases do as it's rarely about a legal issue as such it's a simple question is the person guilty. Who'll all courts now have digital recording it's not possible without a court order to get a transcript.

bobbyss

Pro Hoc Vice wrote: »

Not all cases end in a written judgement. Very few criminal cases do as it's rarely about a legal issue as such it's a simple question is the person guilty. Who'll all courts now have digital recording it's not possible without a court order to get a transcript.

Ok. Thank you.

bobbyss

Looking at courts.ie at the legal diary, special criminal court section, I can see cases listed for the next few days. Is there any way I can find out on that website what a specific case is actually about eg theft, assault etc?

Is there any particular reason why that information is not (apparently) shown?

Peregrinus

bobbyss wrote: »

Looking at courts.ie at the legal diary, special criminal court section, I can see cases listed for the next few days. Is there any way I can find out on that website what a specific case is actually about eg theft, assault etc?

No.

bobbyss wrote: »

Is there any particular reason why that information is not (apparently) shown?

Because it's not needed. The legal diary is published so that the people involved in the case - barristers, solicitors, etc - will know when the hearing will be, and can prepare in advance, notify witnesses when they need to turn up, etc. And, of course, turn up themselves. They already know what the case is about, so they don't need the diary to mention it.

goz83

you could wear a wig and glasses if you don't want your neighbour to recognise you.

bobbyss

Peregrinus wrote: »

No.


Because it's not needed. The legal diary is published so that the people involved in the case - barristers, solicitors, etc - will know when the hearing will be, and can prepare in advance, notify witnesses when they need to turn up, etc. And, of course, turn up themselves. They already know what the case is about, so they don't need the diary to mention it.

OK Thanks.