Court Citations & Bail Undertakings
We offer professional, friendly legal advice and representation in courts throughout Scotland.
Over 30 years experience as Criminal Defence Lawyers
Have you received a citation to attend court in Scotland?
A citation is a very important legal document which should never be ignored. It is an official document sent to you by the Procurator Fiscal which gives details as to a date and time when you are required to attend court in order to answer a charge or charges against you.
A citation will advise you as to which court to appear at, the date and time of the first hearing (known as the pleading diet) and provide you with details as to the alleged charges you face.
It is also common for the police to release you on what is called a bail undertaking. This means that you are given a court date and you will be required to attend court on that date. It is a separate offence to fail to appear at an undertaking diet. The police are also entitled to release you with additional bail conditions which prevent you from contacting a witness or entering a particular location.
At the pleading diet, you will be required to tender a plea of guilty or not guilty or we may be able to get the matter continued without plea so that further enquiries can be made, such as obtaining evidence or defence reports. It is very important that if you receive a citation or an undertaking to get immediate legal advice. The consequences can be very serious indeed if you do not take immediate action.
Contacting a Solicitor After Receiving a Citation in Wishaw, Hamilton, Motherwell and Lanark
Here at McGovern Reid, as criminal defence solicitors, we can advise you on the specifics of the charge against you, look at any evidence provided, and tell you what the likely outcome of your case will be. We have years of experience, so you are assured that you are in safe and knowledgeable hands.
If you receive a court citation or a police bail undertaking, you should contact McGovern Reid and we will be able to provide you with appropriate advice, such as any possible defences you may have. It may be that there is insufficient evidence to convict you, so you must always speak to one of our team before pleading to the charge or charges.
If the citation contains more than one charge, it may be the case that you accept some, but not all, of the charges against you. As experienced criminal defence solicitors, McGovern Reid may be able to negotiate an amendment to the charges with the Procurator Fiscal’s office, in order to ensure a favourable outcome in your case.
If you have received a citation or a police bail undertaking, it is very important to seek legal advice at the earliest opportunity. We have unrivalled experience in the field of criminal defence, and we will be able to give you the best possible advice about what you should do.
McGovern Reid Undertaking Lawyers
You should get in touch with us as soon as you receive a citation. Please contact us on 01698 359 550 or use our online contact form. We will do our best to help you.
Our main office is in Wishaw and we have recently opened us a second office in Hamilton to allow us to represent clients in Airdrie, Bellshill, Coatbridge, East Kilbride, Glasgow, Hamilton, Lanark, Motherwell, and throughout Lanarkshire.
Call us today - 01698 359 550