Representing yourself in District court for pre-hearing dates

Patsy167

I understand a solictor should be used for a hearing date in court but is it advisable to just represent yourself in District court for pre-hearing dates when they are only deciding jurisdiction and exchanging information?

Patsy167

Has anyone experience or advice they could share on the above?

mdwexford

Do you qualify for legal aid?

If so just get a Solicitor from the start.

If it’s nothing major you could even represent yourself the whole way. No point in spending a few hundred on a Solicitor for a minor offence that is going to be a €200 fine either way.

Patsy167

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118000344#Comment_118000344

Thanks, it would be for someone who does not qualify for Legal aid and would be pleading Not guilty in a criminal case

[Deleted User]

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118000360#Comment_118000360

I would engage a solicitor from the beginning

mdwexford

Probably wise to go see a Solicitor then.

Book an appointment and get some advice from them.