I’ve been charged with a crime, now what?
Connor Nelson, Esq.
Whether you have been charged with misdemeanor trespass, an OVI, or even murder, the first step in your case is always the same – Arraignment. An arraignment is your first appearance in court on a criminal case. The prosecutor will read the charge(s) filed against you and some facts about the allegations, your attorney will respond with relevant “good facts” about you, and ultimately the judge or magistrate holding the hearing will decide on bond. Bond (otherwise known as “bail” or “bail bond”) is the pre-trial restrictions a court imposes on a criminal defendant while their case is pending. A typical example you may be familiar with is a cash bond, in which a court orders you to pay a certain amount of money before they release you from their custody. In addition to money, the court can order you to fulfill certain requirements (i.e., no alcohol/drug consumption, no driving, staying away from other specific individuals or places) or can also require you to wear certain pre-trial monitors (commonly known as house arrest).
Having an attorney at your arraignment is important to ensure your rights are protected.
As you can probably tell by now, having an attorney at your arraignment is very important to ensure your rights are effectively protected. Many individuals wait until after their first court date to determine how “serious” the charge(s) are and assess their options from there. Unfortunately, this mistaken approach often leads people into receiving higher cash bonds and more difficult terms of bond because they did not know how to adequately represent themselves at their arraignment.
Yonas and Phillabaum is an experienced criminal defense firm and is prepared to appear with you at your arraignment, even on just a day or two notice because we know how fast-moving and confusing it can be when you are charged with a crime.
Further Reading
