Arraignment

An arraignment is the first appearance before a Judge. Judges rotate through the arraignment room he or she may not be the Judge assigned to your case. The charges against you are read and you have the opportunity to enter a guilty or not guilty plea. This is also an opportunity to request an attorney or have an attorney speak up on your behalf. Future Court hearings are set following an arraignment hearing. Most likely, the matter will be set for a Pre-Trial to allow the accused to obtain counsel. If the accused is already represented by counsel, a Pre-Trial hearing allows the attorney to obtain discovery, or evidence the government intends to use against the Defendant to try and secure a conviction.