Criminal Law Solicitor in Kilkenny City
Kilkenny city holds its own courthouse on Parliament Street, hearing both District and Circuit Court matters for the county, so a charge or summons arising here does not need to travel anywhere else to be dealt with. That puts Kilkenny in a different position to many smaller towns in the county, where a case is sent to the county venue by default. If you have been charged or summonsed in connection with something that happened in Kilkenny city, we can talk you through what the next steps actually involve.
The difference early legal advice can make to a Kilkenny case
Once a charge or summons is issued, there is a sequence of steps that has to be followed, and decisions taken early on, around legal aid, around how a bail application is framed, around what is said or not said at a first appearance, tend to shape how the rest of the case develops. Getting a solicitor involved before that first date at Kilkenny Courthouse gives more room to think through the options properly rather than reacting under time pressure in the courtroom itself.
This applies whether the matter is a straightforward road traffic or public order charge likely to be dealt with in the District Court, or something more serious that may be sent forward for trial. For the more serious end of things, we prepare the strategy for trial from an early stage, and we also advise on applications to have a conviction overturned where that question arises later.
What to have ready before you stand in Kilkenny Courthouse
Before a first appearance, it helps to have the charge sheet or summons to hand, along with any correspondence from the Gardaí or the courts office, and a clear account of what happened from your own side. We can go through this with you at our Kilkenny office, by phone, or by video call, whichever suits, and the first conversation is simply a discussion of your situation with no obligation attached.
If you decide to proceed after that conversation, we set out the terms in a letter of engagement before any work begins. We also attend garda stations around the clock if you are brought in for questioning before a charge is even laid, which is often the point where the right advice matters most.
Serving Kilkenny city and the townlands around it
We act for people across Kilkenny city itself and the surrounding area, including Clonmoran, Danesfort and Bennettsbridge, all a short distance from the city and all falling under the same Kilkenny Courthouse for District and Circuit Court business. Because the county town sits in County Kilkenny, Leinster, and has its own full court sitting, there is generally no need to work out which other county’s venue a case might end up in, unlike some of the smaller towns we also cover.
Whether your case is likely to be dealt with quickly in the District Court or is the kind of matter that could be sent forward to the Circuit Court, the venue itself stays the same: Kilkenny Courthouse on Parliament Street.
Frequently asked questions
Frequently asked questions
Do I need to appear in person at Kilkenny Courthouse once I’ve been charged?
In most cases, yes, you will need to attend your listed date unless the court has given a different direction. We can advise what to expect once we know the detail of your charge or summons.
Can I apply for legal aid for a Kilkenny case?
Legal aid is applied for in court and depends on your means and the seriousness of the charge. We can explain how the application works and what the court will want to see.
What should I do if I’ve been asked to attend a garda station in Kilkenny for questioning?
It is worth getting advice before you attend, even if you have not yet been charged. We attend garda stations around the clock and can talk you through what to expect.
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.
