help finding solicitor for criminal litigation

samslade

There have been some allegations made against me and a guard wants to talk to me. I need to find a solicitor who handles this sort of thing. The only ones I've found who do handle these things seem dodgy when I google them. I'm not sure if I need one in dublin or limerick (or both), since the guard is in one of those places and i live in the other. I don't know if I can give the statement in the local station or ifi need to travel. I'm not asking for advice on this because I think that would count as legal advice and get the thread locked (after reading some of the other threads here). I am only looking for recommendations of solicitors that handle these sorts of matters with good reputations in dublin and limerick.
Thank you, any help with this would be greatly appreciated.

Dub6Kevin

If it's a criminal matter you may well qualify for free legal aid. Find your local FLAC (Free Legal Advice Centre) and ask them for their advise.

samslade

I thought FLAC was only for civil legal aid? I was also under the impression that you needed to be arrested to get free legal aid for criminal litigation.

Dub6Kevin

No FLAC will also help on criminal matters, especially in preliminary stages.

If the court then allows for free legal aid then the State picks up the bill for the solicitor/barrister.

samslade

ok I'll contact them tomorrow. Thanks for your reply

Maximilian

It would be preferable to have a solicitor before you talk to the Gardai but then you already know that I'm sure.

samslade

Yes I want a suitable solicitor to help me prepare a statement. I know I don't have to give a statement until I have gotten legal advice.

Our man in Havana

The only problem with that is that the Gardaí may come along and arrest you before you seek legal advice.

samslade

Well then they still have to wait for me to get a solicitor before I give a statement.

Our man in Havana

But that solicitor may not be of your choosing, i.e. they may just send you a duty solicitor off a list in the station.

johnnyskeleton

Is there any difficulty in posting the names of the most prominent criminal firms in Dublin / Limerick?

Any solicitor that deals with criminal law will be able to help you and will give you good advice, especially in regards to how to approach making statements etc.

There are about 5 big criminal firms in Dublin City Centre and another 10 or so smaller firms who are all very good and advise clients on how to make a statement on a regular basis.

Victor

johnnyskeleton wrote: »

There are about 5 big criminal law firms in Dublin City Centre .....

Edited.

NUTLEY BOY

samslade wrote: »

Yes I want a suitable solicitor to help me prepare a statement. I know I don't have to give a statement until I have gotten legal advice.

You don't have to give one either after you have obtained legal advice.:)

Victor

From the above do I take it that you are only entitled to a solicitor, not a specific solicitor?

This is used in the USA to prevent mobsters from getting 'special' advice.

johnnyskeleton

Victor wrote: »

Edited.

I stand by what I said.

Victor wrote: »

From the above do I take it that you are only entitled to a solicitor, not a specific solicitor?

This is used in the USA to prevent mobsters from getting 'special' advice.

You are entitled to legal representation, and legal representation of your choice. However, a lot of people when charged with a criminal offence don't know or don't care who their solicitor is so the guards often recommend someone, or in court the judge might appoint someone under the legal aid scheme.

AARRRGH

I always thought when arrested the best option (whether guilty or not guilty) was to repeatedly say, "I have nothing to say".

Don't the gardai get most of their evidence from the questioning?

johnnyskeleton

dublindude wrote: »

I always thought when arrested the best option (whether guilty or not guilty) was to repeatedly say, "I have nothing to say".

Don't the gardai get most of their evidence from the questioning?

That's a difficult one because when you questioned you can make statements that are inculpatory (i.e. admissions) but you can also make exculpatory statements (i.e. denials, explanations about where you were at the time etc). As the law stands, both an inculpatory statement and an exculpatory statement will be proffered by the prosecution, so saying I have nothing to say might deprive you of the opportunity to explain yourself. Furthermore, there are some occasions when the gardai can draw inferences from your silence, and a solicitor's advice is invaluable in advising on the correct approach for the individual conerned in the circumstances.

peter connolly

samslade wrote: »

There have been some allegations made against me and a guard wants to talk to me. I need to find a solicitor who handles this sort of thing. The only ones I've found who do handle these things seem dodgy when I google them. I'm not sure if I need one in dublin or limerick (or both), since the guard is in one of those places and i live in the other. I don't know if I can give the statement in the local station or ifi need to travel. I'm not asking for advice on this because I think that would count as legal advice and get the thread locked (after reading some of the other threads here). I am only looking for recommendations of solicitors that handle these sorts of matters with good reputations in dublin and limerick.
Thank you, any help with this would be greatly appreciated.

Hi saw your post. I practice in that area and would be happy to talk to you without any obligations I am an ex-state solicitor.

Cheers Peter