Criminal Law Solicitor in Blessington
Blessington has no District Court of its own, so a charge or summons connected to the town is generally dealt with at one of County Wicklow’s own venues rather than locally. If that has happened to you, or to someone close to you, it helps to understand where the case will actually be heard and what needs to happen before that first date arrives.
The first things people want to know when a summons arrives
Most calls we get from this part of west Wicklow start with the same handful of questions. What does the charge actually say. Do I need a solicitor for a first appearance or can I wait and see. Will I need to go to a Garda station, and what happens if I’m asked to attend one for questioning. Is there any prospect of legal aid, and how is that applied for. These are reasonable questions, and the answer depends on the specific charge, the circumstances around it, and what stage the matter has reached.
Legal aid in the District Court is applied for in court itself, and whether it is granted depends on your means and the seriousness of what you are charged with. We can talk you through how that application works and what the court will want to see. For more serious matters that may be sent forward for trial, the earlier we are involved, the more time there is to look properly at the evidence before decisions need to be made.
Putting a case in order before anyone sets foot in court
Before any court date is listed, we go through the charge sheet or summons with you, look at what the Gardaí have disclosed so far, and get a clear picture of the sequence of events. That might mean requesting CCTV, statements, or custody records, depending on what the case involves. We also talk through the practical options open to you at each stage, rather than leaving that conversation until the morning of court.
Consultations can take place at our Kilkenny office, by phone, or by video, whichever suits you best from Blessington. The first conversation is a no-obligation discussion of your situation. If you decide to go ahead, we set out the terms of the work in a letter of engagement before anything further is done, so there is no ambiguity about what is included.
Looking after cases from Blessington, Valleymount, Hollywood and Dunlavin
Blessington lies in the west of County Wicklow, roughly 39 km north-west of Wicklow town, with Valleymount about 7 km away, Hollywood around 10 km, and Dunlavin some 17 km further on. Cases arising in any of these places normally fall to Wicklow County Council’s area and are listed at one of the county’s two court venues, Bray Courthouse (which hears both District and Circuit Court matters) or Arklow Courthouse (District Court), depending on how the local Garda district lists it.
We take on cases across this part of Leinster, including Wicklow, Kildare, Carlow, Kilkenny, Wexford, Waterford and Dublin, and we attend court appearances at each county’s own venues. That includes appearing on your behalf at whichever Wicklow venue your case is listed at, with the preparation done in advance so the court date itself is not the first time your case has been thought through properly.
Frequently asked questions
Frequently asked questions
Where will my case be heard if I live in Blessington?
There is no District Court sitting in Blessington, so a charge or summons from the town is usually listed at Bray Courthouse or Arklow Courthouse, the two venues that cover County Wicklow. Which one applies depends on how the local Garda district has listed the matter, and we can check this for you once we see the paperwork.
Do I need to attend the Garda station before I’ve spoken to a solicitor?
If you’ve been asked to attend a Garda station for questioning, it’s worth getting advice beforehand if at all possible. We attend Garda stations around the clock, and a short call before you go in can make a real difference to how the process unfolds.
Can I deal with Rafter Solicitors without travelling to Kilkenny?
Yes. Consultations can be arranged by phone or video as well as in person, and we represent clients from Blessington at the Wicklow venue where their case is actually listed. The easiest way to start is to get in touch through our contact page with the details of the charge or summons.
Sound legal advice is based on years of training, hard work, and passion, as well as familiarity with legislation and precedent and sound consideration. You’ll find all that and more at Rafter Solicitors.
- 26 James Street, Co. Kilkenny, Ireland
This page is general information, not legal advice. Your position depends on your circumstances and the current law; please get advice on your own situation. In contentious business, a solicitor may not calculate fees or other charges as a percentage or proportion of any award or settlement.
