What happens at an arraignment hearing?
You will be taken into court with your lawyer and you will be addressed by your name. The judge will tell you of the charge(s) you are facing and will inform you of the evidence. If you have not gone through your probable cause hearing already, which is the standard by which an officer has reason to make an arrest, the judge will then tell you. Since you are still being detained (or rather, out on bail or bond), there must have been probable cause, other wise you wouldn't be going to arraignment to hear the formal charges. The charge(s) against you will be read by either your defender or the judge, including the date, time, and place where you committed the offense. After that, you will be asked how you plead; guilty or not guilty. You should already have discussed this with your attorney about what your plea will be. Alternatively, you can stand mute and not enter a plea, though in all honesty that might piss off the Court. If you plead not guilty or no contest, a date will be established for a preliminary hearing (trial). Before the trial, over the course of several weeks (or months), the prosecutor and your lawyer will try to settle a plea agreement, which is a lesser charge that you can plead guilty to. If you plead guilty to the plea bargain, you will not have to go to trial and will instead await sentencing. If you plead guilty at arraignment, you will be escorted out of court and back to wherever you came from to await your court appearance, where you will be sentenced.
What can I expect at my court arraignment?
I'm a former attorney. Do not plead anything to any charge without consulting legal counsel first. At your arraignment, ask the judge for a 60-day continuance to allow you time to seek legal advice. He will grant it. If you are charged with felonies, the court will appoint you a public defender free of charge, provided you cannot afford an attorney on your own. If you are charged with misdemeanors, the court can provide you with legal assistance at their discretion. Either way, get a continuance and for God's sake, do not discuss your case with ANYONE except your attorney. Anyone you speak to besides your attorney can be subpoenaed and ordered to testify under oath as to what you told them.
What happens after my arraignment?
nothing..after the arraignment the court will set a trial date..no victim testimony no crime..you have a right to confront any witness formed against you in a court of law..that being said before or the day of trial an offer will be made for you take some form of probation..just say no and let it be known you are ready for trial..and they (the Court) cant victimize a victim more than what the victim has already been through..in other words they may try to contact him to come to court and threaten contempt or whatever else..will not happen..once the trial starts and they call him and he doesn't answer you or your lawyer if have one will move for dismissal..the court may grant the prosecutor one additional continuance for the victim to appear..victim doesn't appear the 2nd time case dismissed...so just say you're ready for trial...
How does a court arraignment work?
Actually, an arraignment is the part where you are formally charged and told of all of your charges. At this time, you are also told of the maximum and minimum penalties for the offense. You can chose to plead guilty or not guilty at that time, or not. The judge will ask you if you wish to plead, which you say yes or no. If you say yes, he will ask you what your plea is. After which, he can either sentence you then if you plead guilty, or decide on bail and set up any pre-trial hearings. As for the piece of paper, bring it with you or call the prosecutor's office before the trial date. If you do not call them, then arrive at the arraignment before the scheduled hearing and discuss it with them. If you choose to do it, the prosecutor will contact the judge to inform him/her that a plea agreement has been reached before the hearing. Then when the judge asks you how you plead, you will say guilty, and the judge will hand down the sentence right then. Keep in mind that the judge does not have to abide by what the plea agreement says. While most do, he/she may determine that you require more or less punishment.
Whats an ARRAIGNMENT at court and why are they reset?
My boyfriend got arrested late April and had an arraignment court date late May.. He got that court date reset to late this month.. What is an arraignment and why does he keep getting reset? When will they sentence him?
Court Arraignment is tomorrow, but no charges filed?
I have Arraignment tomorrow @ 830AM. I'm being charged with Penal Code 350(a) selling counterfeit valued at 2,000$ -- Felony. I just turned 18, I see it as a weak case. It was a one time thing, never knew it was illegal ( not my defense ) -- they caught me in a craiglist sting. Anyways besides that. No charges have been filed. & Arraignment is tomorrow I'm out on Bail, What will most likely happen tmrw?
Family Court -- Contempt Arraignment -- What is this exactly? What happens during an arraignment?
This is the first time I have ever been involved with this, and my ex-husband has done this many times with his new wife's ex-husband. (they fight all the time) I have filed five contempt charges on my ex for neglect and interfereing with my communication with my children while they were at his house for summer visitation. My attorney says I do not have to be at the arraignment. Is this true? My ex is flying in from across the country to be there. We are not aware of an attorney to represent him at this time and the arraignment is on this Tuesday. Less than 48 hours. I am so ignorant on this topic: If you have knowledge and/or experience please tell me: 1. Does it look better to the judge if I am present at the arraignment? 2. If my ex has representation, how long before the arraignment does his attorney have to make himself/herself known? 3. If my ex is his own counsel, how is that viewed by the court? Any other advice would be greatly appreciated!!