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ARRAIGNMENT

After you go through the above initial steps you will face an arraignment, truly where the “legal” aspect of your case commences.

A person, now the defendant, charged with a crime will officially stand before a judge who will run down several important questions. It is always advisable to speak with your counsel prior to any hearing and to have your attorney present at your arraignment. The judge will:

• Read the charges against you.
• Ask if you have retained an attorney, or need the court to appoint a public defender to represent you.
• Ask you how you want to plead to these criminal charges, “not guilty,” “guilty,” or “no contest.”
• Make a decision about your bail, whether or not to adjust the amount already decided upon or to release you on your own recognizance. Even if this was determined in an earlier proceeding, the judge will generally re-examine the issue during your arraignment.
• Let you know dates of future proceedings that you and your attorney must attend. These can include your preliminary hearing as well as any pre-trial motions, or even trial.

Any person charged with a crime and facing the possibility of jail time has a constitutional right to the support of an attorney. If the defendant is not able to afford an attorney, government-appointed counsel will be designated to aid the defendant at no cost.

An option of last resort, it is not advisable to allow a public defender to represent you in your case.

Although many are fine attorneys, these lawyers are generally overworked, underpaid, and cannot provide your case with the attention and aggressive representation that an experienced, private criminal defense attorney can.

 

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