Criminal Law Solicitor in Balbriggan
If you or someone in your family has been charged with an offence or served with a summons connected to Balbriggan, the case will generally be dealt with by the District Court covering this part of Fingal. We act for people in Balbriggan and the surrounding north Dublin towns, and we can explain what the charge means and what tends to happen next.
Matters that typically arise for people living in Balbriggan
The cases we’re contacted about from Balbriggan cover a wide range, from road traffic offences and public order charges to more serious matters that end up going forward for trial. Theft, assault, drugs offences and breach of the peace type incidents are among the more common reasons someone first calls a solicitor, but we also deal with matters that started as a garda station interview and may or may not lead to a charge.
Some people contact us straight after being released from a garda station, before any charge has been decided. Others get in touch once a summons has already arrived in the post, which can feel more urgent because it comes with a date attached. Either way, the earlier you get advice, the more options are usually open to you in terms of preparing a response.
How the process moves once you’ve been in touch with us
The first conversation is a no-obligation discussion of your situation, whether that’s by phone, by video, or in person at our Kilkenny office. We’ll go through what you’ve been charged with or summonsed for, what stage the case is at, and what the likely next steps are. If you decide to go ahead, we’ll send a letter of engagement setting out the terms before any work begins.
From there we prepare for the first appearance, which in a Dublin case means attending the relevant District Court on your behalf or alongside you. If bail is an issue, if a legal aid application needs to be made, or if the matter is serious enough that it will eventually be sent forward for trial, we set out what that involves and what we’ll need from you at each stage.
Serving Balbriggan, Skerries, Lusk and Rush
Balbriggan sits in the Fingal local authority area, along with Skerries about 6 kilometres away, Lusk about 9 kilometres away, and Rush a little further at around 11 kilometres. We take cases from across this part of north County Dublin, and a charge or summons connected to any of these towns is generally heard at the same District Court venue covering Fingal, which in practice means Blanchardstown Courthouse.
We’re used to clients from this area wanting to deal with things over the phone or by video rather than travelling into a solicitor’s office, and that’s how most of our Balbriggan enquiries begin. In-person consultations are also available at our Kilkenny office if that suits you better.
Frequently asked questions
Frequently asked questions
Where will my case be heard if I’ve been charged in Balbriggan?
Charges and summonses arising in Balbriggan are generally dealt with by the District Court covering the Fingal area, which in practice means Blanchardstown Courthouse. If the matter is more serious, it may later be sent forward to a higher court, and we can explain what that would involve for your particular case.
Can I get advice before I’ve been formally charged?
Yes. We regularly hear from people after a garda station interview, before any decision has been made on charges. Getting advice at that stage can be useful, and the first conversation is simply a discussion of where things stand.
Do I need to come to an office in person?
No. Consultations can take place by phone, by video, or at our Kilkenny office, whichever suits you. Many clients from the Balbriggan area prefer to deal with the initial stages remotely before meeting in person if needed.
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.
