What is an arraignment?

An arraignment is the first court date where the judge reads the defendant the charges that he or she is being charged with.  After reading the charges, the judge will ask the defendant how they plead.  If they plea Not Guilty, then the judge will then set up the next court date for the defendant to come back and begin fighting his or her case.  If the defendant pleas Guilty, then he will be sentenced.  The defendant can also plea No Contest, where the defendant neither disputes nor admits to doing the crime.  When a defendant is out on bail, they are more likely to want to fight the case.  Some cases can take anywhere from a few months to a few years depending on the severity of the crime accused.

In some events a defendant will show up for their arraignment and find out that their case has not been filed yet.  There is a chance that the case may never be filed and there is also a chance that the DA will later decide to file charges against the defendant.

If you’re out on bail and the case isn’t filed on the first court date, the court has 15 days to file a case from the first court date or the bond is exonerated.

Have a question?  Call Golden Eagle Bail Bonds at 877-525-1711.  We are always available to answer your questions.