Livingston is where West Lothian's criminal business is dealt with. The sheriff court sits in the West Lothian Civic Centre on Howden South Road, and so does the police station, which means someone detained in the town can be held and can appear in the same building. That proximity makes things move quickly. A custody case can go from arrest to first calling without the pause that travelling to another town would otherwise create, and the decisions that shape the outcome — whether to be interviewed, what to accept about bail — are taken in that first day. Charles Ferguson Solicitors act for clients throughout West Lothian from our Glasgow office at 20-23 Woodside Place, G3 7QL. Call 0141 345 5735 at any hour.
Livingston Sheriff Court
Criminal cases arising in Livingston are prosecuted at Livingston Sheriff Court and Justice of the Peace Court, West Lothian Civic Centre, Howden South Road, Livingston EH54 6FF, within the Sheriffdom of Lothian and Borders. The Civic Centre opened in 2009 and brought the county's court business onto a single site, with the sheriff court occupying the first floor alongside West Lothian Council, the social work department and Livingston Police Station. Both summary and solemn business is taken here, with jury trials on indictment before a sheriff, and the Justice of the Peace Court disposes of lower-tariff summary complaints. The most serious charges are prosecuted in the High Court of Justiciary.
Criminal Offences We Defend in Livingston
Assault — common assault through to assault to severe injury, including incidents in Almondvale and the town centre and in licensed premises. Theft and Dishonesty — Livingston holds one of the largest concentrations of retail in Scotland, and shoplifting, fraud and reset charges arising from the shopping centre, the outlet and the retail parks are a steady part of the summary roll; allegations of organised or repeated theft are prosecuted firmly. Drug Offences — possession, supply and being concerned in the supply of controlled drugs, including supply reaching the town along the M8. Domestic Abuse — charges under the Domestic Abuse (Scotland) Act 2018, with bail conditions and non-harassment orders. Public Order — threatening or abusive behaviour under section 38 of the Criminal Justice and Licensing (Scotland) Act 2010. Weapons Offences — knives and offensive weapons. Sexual Offences — charges under the Sexual Offences (Scotland) Act 2009, including advice from the investigation stage. Road Traffic Offences — drink driving, dangerous driving and speeding on the M8, A71, A705 and A899. Bail — applications, reviews and alleged breaches.
Why Choose Charles Ferguson Solicitors in Livingston?
Livingston is a busy court and its summary rolls are long, which means a case is only as well prepared as somebody has made it. We recover the disclosure early, work out precisely what the Crown says it can corroborate, check that the procedure followed at the police station was correct, and take a position on the evidence rather than on the pressure of the diet. The town also has a large workforce in electronics, distribution, healthcare and retail management, much of it employment where a conviction reaches further than the sentence — a vetting check, a professional registration, a licence. We take account of that from the first meeting. 24/7 Availability — call 0141 345 5735 at any hour. Legal Aid Specialists — we accept Legal Aid work and will check eligibility immediately. Police Station Attendance. Free Initial Consultation.
What to Do If You Are Charged in Livingston
If Police Scotland detain you in West Lothian, you are entitled to a private consultation with a solicitor before any interview begins. Take that right and answer no questions until you have advice. It matters particularly here, because the police station and the court share a building and a custody case can call the following morning — there is very little time to put right an account given in interview. If you have been released on an undertaking, or a citation has arrived from the Procurator Fiscal requiring you to appear at Livingston Sheriff Court, contact us as soon as the paperwork arrives so that we can obtain disclosure and prepare properly before the diet.
Areas Served Across West Lothian
We represent clients throughout Livingston and West Lothian, including Craigshill, Howden, Ladywell, Knightsridge, Deans, Dedridge, Murieston, Eliburn, Almondvale, Carmondean, Bellsquarry, Kirkton and Livingston Village, together with Bathgate, Broxburn, Uphall, Armadale, Whitburn, Blackburn, East Calder, Mid Calder, West Calder and Linlithgow. Cases regularly arise on the M8, the A71, the A705, the A89 and the A899. Call 0141 345 5735 at any hour of the day or night.