Circuit Court - Criminal Jurisdiction

Information

In criminal matters, the Circuit Court Judge sits with a jury of twelve. A verdict need not be unanimous in a case where there are not fewer than eleven jurors if ten of them agree on a verdict after considering the case for a reasonable time (not less than two hours).

Rules

Local Jurisdiction

The criminal jurisdiction is exercised by the judge of the Circuit in which

• the offence was committed or
• where the defendant resides or carries on business or
• where the defendant was arrested,

However, the Circuit Judge may transfer a criminal trial from one part of his/her Circuit to another.

On application by the Director of Public Prosecutions or the accused, the Circuit Judge may, if satisfied that it would be manifestly unjust not to do so, transfer the trial from the Circuit Court sitting outside of the Dublin Circuit to the Dublin Circuit Court.

Limited Jurisdiction

The Constitution specifies that all non-minor offences must, in general, involve a trial with a jury.

All minor criminal cases are heard in the District Court summarily (i.e., without a jury). The Circuit Court has the jurisdiction to hear all non-minor offences, except murder, rape, aggravated sexual assault, treason, piracy and related offences.