Do you ever go to see Justice "administered in public"?

Dudess · 06-11-2011 03:54AM

southsiderosie wrote: »

I don't think it is smug, especially if you have an interest in law. Plus the judiciary is a critical component of a democracy. I've always meant to go to a trial; when I went to college in Washington DC my friends and I were always talking about going to Supreme Court hearings, but we never got in line in time to get in for the most interesting cases. I do make it a point to read the Supreme Court's decisions for big cases though.

And, yes, I am comfortable with my nerd-dom.

Ah no, I don't mean people who are interested in law, but people who are just being voyeurs, especially in a high profile case.

Wolfe Tone · 06-11-2011 03:57AM

Dudess wrote: »

Ah no, I don't mean people who are interested in law, but people who are just being voyeurs, especially in a high profile case.

Sure do you not read about it in the paper, in an article written by a journalist who was there? Or see a news report about it?

Same thing really, there by proxy. Maybe its even worse as by buying the paper or watching the channel you are helping people profit.

Oh_Noes · 06-11-2011 04:14AM

The judge in Mullingar/Athlone/Longford is gas craic to watch. His name is Seamus Hughes and he's been in the papers for making silly suggestions about government policy in the last few years. So many inane, meaningless charges come up in front of him and it's obvious that nothing serious will be/needs to be done. So he does his best to entertain himself and make it more interesting than it is.

I'd definitely recommend attending for any budding law/media/creative writing student out there. Anyone can go in and sit for a few hours.

evercloserunion · 06-11-2011 04:22AM

padd b1975 wrote: »

I am afraid I work much harder than anyone in the legal profession could possibly fathom.

Probably earn much less than they could fathom too. WHA

evercloserunion · 06-11-2011 04:22AM

Dudess wrote: »

No. Don't get why someone would just for the sake of it. Seems a bit smug.

To learn about how our justice system works and to see it in action.

Me again! · 06-11-2011 12:16PM

Wolfe Tone wrote: »

That is, do you ever take a wander into your local district or circuit courts, or pop into the four courts and watch trials, hearings etc, as is your right? Have you any interest in doing so?

I've an academic interest so I have been in to view legal proceedings a number of times and mostly its either empty or has a few people there who have a direct interest in the case.

So boardsies, do you ever go to watch the law at work out of idle curiosity or is the only time you see the inside of a courtroom when you or a family member gets charged for blasting a Garda with piss?

Are people allowed into the special criminal court to see IRA scumbags go down? I've gone into the four courts in the past!

Pompey Magnus · 06-11-2011 01:29PM

Oranage2 wrote: »

I was in court a while ago for lets say research purposes,- anyway a lad was there for hitch hiking,

Hitch hiking? Is that illegal now or was he doing it on the motorway?

Sunnyisland · 06-11-2011 01:41PM

Been a few years but have attended many a court,Back then sitting in the public gallery you couldn't really hear what was being said between the defence/prosecution lawyers and garda /judge,Some of the judges were characters themselves and would know some of the defendants by the first name,But It was all a bit mumbled and them talking in a very punctuated english The only words you could hear then was the sentence and guilty or not guilty,hopefully its all got better now ?

tony007 · 06-11-2011 01:42PM

padd b1975 wrote: »

I am afraid I work much harder than anyone in the legal profession could possibly fathom.

You mustn't know many in the legal profession so. I know someone who barely has a day off, often working into the morning to get things done

Sunnyisland · 06-11-2011 01:45PM

I might add,in the district courts anyway,The proceedings seem To be happening on a very different level to the defendants and they haven't a clue whats been said and only know when sentence is passed with a look at bewilderment on there faces.as in what did i do.

Scruffles · 06-11-2011 02:25PM

mikemac wrote: »

I thought this was going to be about kneecapping

same here,one is thoroughly disapointed.

the nearest thing have seen to it is every week when am going to horse riding [at a RDA/disabled persons riding school].
a lot of the volunteers are people on community service from the courts,but very few of them have ever taken it seriously-touching,staring and wolf whistling at the support staffs am with,skiving in the hay barn together etc.
they arent lesson volunteers though as they have to be qualified for that.

anyway,nice to know there are people who enjoy going to watch court cases- over here there are more people who try to get out of jury duty than wanting in.

Ellis Dee · 06-11-2011 02:39PM

I worked as an interpreter in Finnish courts for many years, which meant I sat beside the defendant. I remember one day back in the early 80s when I assisted with two cases. The first was a rape case, where the accused (a Nigerian national with one previous conviction) was found guilty and given a 10-month suspended sentence. The other involved an American who had cultivated about 10 cannabis plants for his own use. He got nine months custodial. 'Nuff said!

It is interesting that the law is being changed so that High Court and Supreme Court judges in Ireland will no longer be required to wear wigs. But the reform does not go far enough. I feel they should be required to wear large fuzzy orange wigs, big bulbous red noses, white makeup, loose chequered jackets and trousers and long floppy shoes. That would more accurately reflect what, in the light of their decisions, many of them are.;)

ILikeBananas · 06-11-2011 02:57PM

This is actually something that I've never thought of doing before. Now that the idea is in my head though I might just head along to see what it's like.

OutlawPete · 06-11-2011 03:00PM

Yes, when it's pissing down late at night, I drive up and sit out side Krystal and wait for everyone to leave so I can watch the fake tan flow down Harcourt St.

CrazyRabbit · 06-11-2011 03:29PM

Seen a non-English speaker convicted and sentenced even though they couldn't find an interpreter so that he could defend himself. OK, I know it's hard to find a translator for someone from Mongolia, but it still doesn't make it right. I spoke up to the Judge, but was quickly escorted from the court by 2 Gardai.

Back when I was 13, I brought a guy to court for assaulting me (with 6 of his mates). They left me needing a 1 week stay in intensive care in hospital. He walked 'free' with a 3 month sentence suspended for 1 year.

After both of this events, I have lost all faith in Ireland's justice system.

Do you ever go to see Justice "administered in public"?

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