If you were arrested for a crime, you will be arraigned. Your arraignment, which is a type of hearing, should occur as soon as is reasonable under your Constitutional rights to a speedy trial and be informed of the charges against you. 

Here’s what to expect at your arraignment and how to get the legal help you need after being charged with a criminal offense. 

The Court Advises You of the Charges 

First, you will be told what the charges against you are. In many cases, the defendant will be surprised to hear additional charges beyond what they were arrested for. This may be the case if police searched your property after your arrest and found evidence they could use against you. 

You Will Enter Your Plea 

After being informed of the charges, you’ll be asked how you plead: guilty, not guilty, or no contest. How you plead at the arraignment hearing can have a significant impact on the outcome of your case, including the length of your sentence if convicted. 

Your Bail Amount Will Be Set 

At this time, the amount of your bail, if any, will be set. Depending on the crime you are accused of, you may or may not be eligible for bail. Whether or not you are allowed bail is up to the judge in charge of your case. There are a number of factors that go into what your bail amount will be set at, including the charges against you, your flight risk, and whether or not you have a lawyer present at the arraignment. 

Your Next Hearing Date(s) Will Be Set 

At the end of the hearing, the dates of your next court appearances will be set. You must attend this hearing at the specified date and time, regardless of if you are out on bail or remained in the custody of police. 

Should You Contact a Criminal Defense Attorney? 

A criminal defense attorney plays an important role at the arraignment. Your lawyer can help you decide which plea is in your best interests based on available evidence and can help you negotiate a lower bail amount. Don’t make the mistake of waiting until after your arraignment to contact a lawyer. 

Britt Criminal Defense has extensive experience representing a variety of criminal cases and can provide the aggressive legal advocacy you need. Contact us today for a consultation to discuss the details of your case by calling 443-944-5705.