There are two types of criminal offence; a summary offence, which can be tried by a District Court Judge sitting without a jury, and an indictable offence, which is tried by a Circuit or High Court Judge sitting with a jury.
If you have been charged with a summary offence, you may be represented by a solicitor and/or a barrister. Criminal legal aid is not generally available at the District Court.
If you have been charged with an indictable offence, you will normally be represented by a solicitor and a barrister (counsel). Usually, you will be represented by a solicitor, a junior counsel and a senior counsel.
If you qualify for criminal legal aid, the state will cover the cost of your lawyers.
If you are the accused in a criminal trial, your defence counsel must behave according to the following rules.
The main duty of the defence counsel is to defend you whether or not he or she thinks or believes you are guilty.
The defence counsel must always give a criminal case priority over all other matters.
The defence counsel is under a duty to stay with you even if you are not accepting his/her advice.
The defence counsel cannot withdraw from your case because of any conduct or remarks made by the trial judge.
The defence counsel should be present throughout the trial at all times. However, if, due to unforeseen circumstances, he/she has to leave, he/she must see that you are not at any stage unrepresented and he/she must obtain the consent of your solicitor to be absent.
Where there are two defence counsel, neither may leave the trial except temporarily and for good reason.
The defence counsel must be properly briefed - i.e., he/she must have received all of the relevant information relating to your case at least one week prior to the trial date.
The defence counsel also owes a duty to the court. He/she must not knowingly state a lie in court. If you tell your barrister that you are guilty before the start of the trial, he/she can continue to act for you if you plead "guilty". If you plead "not guilty", he/she is very restricted as to the type of defence he/she can mount on your behalf.
If you flee, your legal representation may withdraw from the case.
The decision whether or not to give evidence is your decision and not your counsel's.
If you are convicted, the defence counsel has a duty to see you and to appear for you in any appeal unless he/she has advised against the appeal.