Can I go and watch a case in court?

paulac · 27-10-2006 2:53am #1

I wwas just wondering if anyone knew if a member of the public can go to the courts and watch a case being tried. If you could let me know where to go or if anyones been, that would be great.

Thanks

dK1NG · 27-10-2006 9:22am

i've been to a few here in Limerick (mainly District Ct) - the courts are open to the public, except in certain circumstances where it is necessary to hold proceedings in camera.

dats_right · 27-10-2006 12:05pm

If you are in Dublin then my advice would be to head on down to the Four Courts and dependin' on what takes your fancy toddle on into the court.
a) for murders etc. you should go to the Central Criminal Court which usually sits in one or two of the Courts in the Round Hall i.e the main part of the Four Courts. Usually Courts no. 2 & 4 (note all rape trial are heard in camera)
b) for serious offences such as assault, robberry, etc then it's the Circuit Criminal Court that you're after, which sits in the Four Courts building and also Chancery Place.
c) for summary offences such as, minor drug offences, public order, motoring, shop lifting, public order, etc then Bridewell District Court is the best place to be.

It is well worth a visit to any or all of the above courts, it is certainly an experience! I have added a link for a Courts Service map which will help you locate the various Courts that I have mentioned, they are all within very close proximity to the main Four Courts building. The Courts Service operate a desk just before the entry to the Round Hall, they'll answer any queries you may have or direct you to where you want to go.

On the other hand, if you are outside Dublin then you will have to look up the provincial diaries for your nearest Court. I have added a link for this also.

http://www.courts.ie/offices.nsf/66f17ad8f19fb0a680256e4300418691/b0e2c358fac4a4cd80256f310063a3e2?OpenDocument

http://www.courts.ie/legaldiary.nsf/Provincial+-+Circuit+Court?Openview

skyhighflyer · 30-10-2006 1:50am

Just as a point of reference, the district court is as boring as all hell. Go to the circuit court or above if its some excitement you're after:D

Overheal · 30-10-2006 9:02pm

"I want the truth!"

"You can't HANDLE the truth!"

"Did you order the code red?"

"Your Goddamn right I did!!"

yeah...this never happens in reality.

GusherING · 31-10-2006 2:14am

Ask a garda in the courthouse. I got pointed in the direction of a murder trial. Quite exciting alright!!

Our man in Havana · 31-10-2006 2:38am

Has it always been the case that rape cases are in camera?

The Bollox · 31-10-2006 2:41am

what will you see in the 4 courts that you won't see on Judge Judy?

dK1NG · 31-10-2006 2:30pm

Marts wrote:

what will you see in the 4 courts that you won't see on Judge Judy?

the 4 courts

Overheal · 01-11-2006 11:44pm

It wouldnt be fair to the people involved in a rape trial for it to be held publicly...both for the Plaintiff and the defendant. Remember Innocent until proven Guilty.

focusing · 02-11-2006 8:20pm

Read a newspaper to pick a couple of ongoing trials and find out which courtrooms they'll be in via the Legal Diary on courts.ie

The Round Hall Courts and Court 8 generally have some interesting criminal trials.

Good idea from whoever suggested asking a Garda in the Round Hall, you can't go far wrong from there.

Can I go and watch a case in court?

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