Stranraer sits at the far south-west corner of Scotland, and distance shapes how criminal cases run here. Police enquiries cover a wide, thinly populated area, witnesses are scattered across the Rhins and the Machars, and an accused can find the process moving without anyone having tested what the Crown actually holds. Charles Ferguson Solicitors act for clients throughout Wigtownshire from our Glasgow office at 20-23 Woodside Place, G3 7QL, reached from Stranraer by the A77. Being outside the central belt is no reason to accept a lesser standard of defence. Call 0141 345 5735 at any hour, day or night.
Stranraer Sheriff Court
Criminal cases arising in Wigtownshire are prosecuted at Stranraer Sheriff Court and Justice of the Peace Court, Sheriff Clerk's Office, Lewis Street, Stranraer DG9 7AA, within the Sheriffdom of South Strathclyde, Dumfries and Galloway. The court takes summary business and solemn cases prosecuted on indictment, and the Justice of the Peace Court deals with lower-tariff summary complaints. Its district covers the whole of the Rhins and the Machars, from Cairnryan and Portpatrick down to Drummore and across to Whithorn and the Isle of Whithorn. The most serious charges are prosecuted in the High Court of Justiciary, which sits elsewhere in Scotland.
Criminal Offences We Defend in Stranraer
Drug Offences — possession, supply, being concerned in the supply and importation. The ferry terminals at Cairnryan make this district a recognised route between Scotland and Northern Ireland, and charges arising from vehicle searches at the port are a regular feature of the Stranraer roll. Rural and Agricultural Crime — Wigtownshire is dairy and beef country, and we defend charges involving theft of quads, tractors, plant, tools and livestock, along with related reset allegations. Marine and Fisheries Offences — matters arising from scallop dredging in Luce Bay, the Loch Ryan oyster fishery and the inshore boats working out of Portpatrick, Drummore and the Isle of Whithorn. Assault — common assault through to assault to severe injury, including incidents in Stranraer town centre and in licensed premises. Theft and Dishonesty — housebreaking, shoplifting, fraud and reset. Domestic Abuse — charges under the Domestic Abuse (Scotland) Act 2018, bail conditions and non-harassment orders. Public Order — threatening or abusive behaviour under section 38. Weapons Offences — knives and offensive weapons, and firearms and shotgun certificate matters. Sexual Offences — charges under the Sexual Offences (Scotland) Act 2009.
Why Choose Charles Ferguson Solicitors in Stranraer?
Port cases in particular reward close attention. Where a charge follows a search at Cairnryan, the questions of who had knowledge and control of what was found, how the vehicle was handled, and whether the search and detention procedure was properly carried out are frequently where the defence lies — and they are rarely answered by the summary of evidence alone. The same care applies to rural charges, where identification, timings and the movement of property over long distances all bear examination. We prepare Wigtownshire cases to the standard we would apply to High Court work. 24/7 Availability — call 0141 345 5735 at any hour. Legal Aid Specialists — we accept Legal Aid work and will assess eligibility at once. Police Station Attendance. Free Initial Consultation.
What to Do If You Are Charged in Stranraer
If Police Scotland detain you anywhere in Wigtownshire, you are entitled to consult a solicitor in private before any interview takes place. Use that right and answer nothing until you have taken advice. This matters more in port and drugs cases than almost anywhere else, because an innocent explanation given badly at the roadside or in interview is very hard to repair afterwards. If you have been released on an undertaking, or have received a citation from the Procurator Fiscal to appear at Stranraer Sheriff Court, contact us as soon as it arrives so we can obtain disclosure and start work well before the diet.
Areas Served Across Wigtownshire
We represent clients across Wigtownshire and the wider Galloway area, including Stranraer, Cairnryan, Kirkcolm, Leswalt, Portpatrick, Sandhead, Ardwell, Port Logan, Drummore, Glenluce, Kirkcowan, Newton Stewart, Creetown, Wigtown, Bladnoch, Whithorn, Isle of Whithorn, Garlieston and Port William. Cases regularly arise on the A75, the A77, the A714, the A716 and the A747. Call 0141 345 5735.