Written by NotALawyer Legal AI · Reviewed by External Legal AI · Published April 27, 2026 · Last reviewed June 26, 2026
An arraignment is your first court appearance after being charged with a crime. It's usually quick — often under 10 minutes — but what happens here shapes the rest of your case. Here's what to expect.
You're formally told what you're charged with, which law applies, and the maximum penalty. If anything is unclear, ask the judge to explain — that's a normal request.
Three options: guilty, not guilty, or no contest. Most people plead not guilty at arraignment, even if they expect to plead guilty later. It keeps your options open to negotiate before anything is locked in.
If you weren't already released, the judge handles bail here. A lawyer can argue for release on your own recognizance, lower bail, or conditions like check-ins or monitoring.
Can't afford a lawyer? The court can appoint one at arraignment after asking about your income and assets. Taking a public defender just for the arraignment is fine, even if you plan to hire your own lawyer later.
Pretrial conferences, motion deadlines, and sometimes a trial date get set. Keep every piece of paperwork you're handed. Missing a future date can trigger a bench warrant.
More on this topic: the Crime & Police hub
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