All criminal prosecutions are initiated in the District Court with the exception of certain offences dealt with by the Special Criminal Court (generally offences against the State).

A person is brought before the court either by way of a Summons or Charge Sheet.

A summons is a legal document which outlines details of the offence a defendant is alleged to have committed.  It requires the defendant to appear in a specific court on a specific date and time.  A summons may be issued by different bodies including An Garda Síochána, other Government agencies, An Post, and county councils.

A charge sheet is a document produced by An Garda Síochána containing details of the offence with which a defendant has been arrested and charged.  A person enters a station bail bond before being released from the Garda station.  This requires the defendant to appear in a specific court on a specific date and time.