We are independent & ad-supported. We may earn a commission for purchases made through our links.
WiseGeek

Advertiser Disclosure

Our website is an independent, advertising-supported platform. We provide our content free of charge to our readers, and to keep it that way, we rely on revenue generated through advertisements and affiliate partnerships. This means that when you click on certain links on our site and make a purchase, we may earn a commission. Learn more.

How We Make Money

We sustain our operations through affiliate commissions and advertising. If you click on an affiliate link and make a purchase, we may receive a commission from the merchant at no additional cost to you. We also display advertisements on our website, which help generate revenue to support our work and keep our content free for readers. Our editorial team operates independently from our advertising and affiliate partnerships to ensure that our content remains unbiased and focused on providing you with the best information and recommendations based on thorough research and honest evaluations. To remain transparent, we’ve provided a list of our current affiliate partners here.
Finance

How do I Prepare for an Arraignment?

Nicole Madison
By
Updated May 17, 2024
Our promise to you
WiseGeek is dedicated to creating trustworthy, high-quality content that always prioritizes transparency, integrity, and inclusivity above all else. Our ensure that our content creation and review process includes rigorous fact-checking, evidence-based, and continual updates to ensure accuracy and reliability.

Our Promise to you

Founded in 2002, our company has been a trusted resource for readers seeking informative and engaging content. Our dedication to quality remains unwavering—and will never change. We follow a strict editorial policy, ensuring that our content is authored by highly qualified professionals and edited by subject matter experts. This guarantees that everything we publish is objective, accurate, and trustworthy.

Over the years, we've refined our approach to cover a wide range of topics, providing readers with reliable and practical advice to enhance their knowledge and skills. That's why millions of readers turn to us each year. Join us in celebrating the joy of learning, guided by standards you can trust.

Editorial Standards

At WiseGeek, we are committed to creating content that you can trust. Our editorial process is designed to ensure that every piece of content we publish is accurate, reliable, and informative.

Our team of experienced writers and editors follows a strict set of guidelines to ensure the highest quality content. We conduct thorough research, fact-check all information, and rely on credible sources to back up our claims. Our content is reviewed by subject matter experts to ensure accuracy and clarity.

We believe in transparency and maintain editorial independence from our advertisers. Our team does not receive direct compensation from advertisers, allowing us to create unbiased content that prioritizes your interests.

When you are preparing for an arraignment, it is usually important to seek the help of an attorney. A lawyer may help you understand your rights and advise you of the process of arraignment in your jurisdiction. Likewise, a lawyer may help you with gathering information that could influence the court’s decisions regarding bail and other matters. For example, he may gather character statements from your employer or business associates that may encourage a judge to set low bail, or no bail, in your case. Additionally, a lawyer may advise you on what to expect in the event that you plead guilty as well as the procedure if you plead innocent.

If you cannot afford a defense lawyer, your jurisdiction may provide a public defender to represent you in your case. You may also seek free legal advice from non-profit legal organizations. Additionally, member associations may provide free or discount legal representation to members. It is generally considered a poor idea to proceed without legal help. If you choose to do so, you may significantly hurt your chances of getting acquitted.

As you prepare for an arraignment, it is also a good idea to decide how you want to plead. If you choose to plead guilty in a case, you will usually skip the trial and receive sentencing based on your admission of guilt. In some cases, sentencing occurs on the same day as the plea of guilt, but this is not always the case. In some cases, a judge will set a sentencing hearing to occur at a later date. If you plead not-guilty, on the other hand, a judge will typically set a court date on which your trial will begin. In some cases, this date may be set for months after your arraignment.

While you prepare for an arraignment, you may also consider bail. If a judge believes that you are not a danger to others and are a low risk for fleeing from justice, he may free you on bail pending a trial. This usually means you or another person will have to deposit a sum of money with the court as a guarantee that you will show up for your court date. If you think a judge may release you on bail, you may do well to consider where you will get the money to post bail. For example, you may contact friends, family members, or a bail agent to help with this.

WiseGeek is dedicated to providing accurate and trustworthy information. We carefully select reputable sources and employ a rigorous fact-checking process to maintain the highest standards. To learn more about our commitment to accuracy, read our editorial process.
Nicole Madison
By Nicole Madison , Writer
Nicole Madison's love for learning inspires her work as a WiseGeek writer, where she focuses on topics like homeschooling, parenting, health, science, and business. Her passion for knowledge is evident in the well-researched and informative articles she authors. As a mother of four, Nicole balances work with quality family time activities such as reading, camping, and beach trips.
See our Editorial Process Share Feedback

Related Articles

Discussion Comments

By indemnifyme — On Aug 26, 2011

@strawCake - Good point. A lot of people don't have bail money, so I'd just like to point out that some insurance policies have provisions for bail money. Check your insurance policy and see if you have that so you're prepared in the unfortunate event of legal trouble.

By strawCake — On Aug 25, 2011

I think it really stinks that a trial might be months after an arraignment. If you are unable to post bail or the judge doesn't release you on bail, you may have to wait for months in jail for your trial!

I think this just highlights the need for a good attorney, and excellent preparation. The last thing anyone wants to do (especially if you are innocent) is spend a few months in jail unnecessarily.

By BoatHugger — On Aug 25, 2011

@carrotisland- Wow. That is quite a story. I hope by now you have learned which crowd to stay away from.

I am responding to your post to make it clear to everyone that not all court-appointed lawyers are just getting through the day. I am sorry that your attorney did not fight for you but that is not always the case.

I was once in a similar situation. The district attorney was itching to have me thrown in jail for years. When my arraignment day came, I walked in and say my "court-appointed attorney" laughing and joking around with the district attorney who was trying to prosecute me. That made me very uncomfortable. However, when it came time for my arraignment hearing, he definitely came through for me.

There will be someone in every profession that does not live up to their title. I just didn't want all court-appointed attorneys to seem as though they don't care.

By CarrotIsland — On Aug 24, 2011

A few years ago, I was mixed up with the wrong crowd of people and made some bad decisions which led me to jail. After getting out of jail, I still had to pay off a lot of fines. I had one fine that I had failed to pay and a warrant was issued for my arrest. When I found that out, I immediately went to the court office and paid it.

Two weeks later, I was driving home after partying with some friends. Clearly, I had not yet learned my lesson. Anyway, I went through a regular traffic stop where they check your license and insurance. When they checked mine, they said that I had an outstanding warrant. I told them that it was paid. They were very rude and said that their system doesn't lie. Due to the fact that I had this warrant, they said that gave them the right to search my vehicle. Upon that search, they found a can of beer that was opened. I got charged with open container and was arrested.

I could not afford an attorney so I had the court appointed attorney at my arraignment. I told him that I could not be charged with the open container because the search of my vehicle was done illegally because I did not have a warrant on me at that time. The attorney had no interest in my excuse so I asked the judge if I could speak for myself.

After I pleaded my case, the records indicated that I did not have a warrant and that the search was, indeed illegal. Anything found in that search could not be used. I was found not-guilty with the apologies of the court.

I say all of that to say this: Always be prepared for your arraignment. Do not depend on your court appointed attorney to fight your battle because they are going to get a paycheck whether they win or lose.

Nicole Madison

Nicole Madison

Writer

Nicole Madison's love for learning inspires her work as a WiseGeek writer, where she focuses on topics like...
Learn more
WiseGeek, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.

WiseGeek, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.