If you are arrested for a crime, you will go through several different stages of the criminal case. One of the first stages is the arraignment. The arraignment is your first appearance in front of the judge and will give you more information, such as what charges you might face and if you can get out of police custody. Here is more information about arraignment and what you should expect.
The Basics of Arraignment
First of all, you should know the basics of what is going to happen at the arraignment. This is your initial court appearance and will be what drives the rest of your criminal case. You can expect the following things to happen during this stage of your criminal case:
- The court asks about whether you will hire a lawyer or need a public defender
- You make your plea
- Your release conditions are discussed, such as not leaving the state or country
- If bail is applicable, it is set
- The dates for future court proceedings are discussed
When the Arraignment Takes Place
The next thing you should know is when exactly you can expect to have your arraignment. If you are still in custody, the arraignment usually takes place within a couple days after your arrest, minus holidays or weekends. However, if you were granted bail or released from custody shortly after your arrest, it could take a couple weeks or longer, depending on the factors of the arrest. The arraignment is usually schedules as quickly as possible.
Benefits of Hiring a Lawyer
While having a criminal defense attorney for your arraignment is optional, it is highly recommended. You can benefit in a number of ways by bringing private counsel to your arraignment. First of all, there is a possibility that your lawyer can get the case dismissed. Prior to the arraignment, evidence is collected and analyzed to show your guilt. During this time, it is possible that your lawyer can show the evidence is weak and therefore get the case dismissed.
The lawyer can also help you get bailed out from jail sooner than expected. They are able to make plea deals, which you can't do if you are defending yourself. If you want a plea deal that includes early release from jail, you should hire a criminal defense attorney shortly after being arrested. The attorney will look at the facts of your case and inform you whether or not there might be a plea deal available. Contact a local attorney, like Thomas A Corletta, with any questions.
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