| If I weren't a Seattle DUI attorney, I probably wouldn't | | | | day). At arraignment, the prosecutor will give you a |
| know much, if anything, about the criminal justice | | | | copy of the charges against you (called a complaint) |
| process. I haven't been in much trouble before (I got a | | | | and the judge will ask you some questions regarding |
| minor in possession of alcohol when I was a kid, but | | | | your name and address. The court is also required to |
| other than that have been in no trouble) and wouldn't | | | | read you the charges unless you waive this |
| have seen the inside of a courtroom if it weren't for | | | | requirement. If you don't have a lawyer the judge will |
| my job. So I can empathize with the feelings of fear | | | | often read the charges against you. After reading the |
| and dread that many associate with going to court | | | | charges the judge will then ask you how you would |
| when charged with a DUI. | | | | like to plead. In almost every instance you are going to |
| Although it is a long, arduous, and often embarrassing | | | | want to plead not guilty. If you have a DUI attorney |
| process, it is just that, a process. And for many, if not | | | | retained you will be pleading not guilty. |
| all, of the people you deal with, it will be a process | | | | Although going into court at any time can be an |
| they've been through many times before. And they | | | | intimidating situation, arraignments for the most part are |
| are there to help guide you through the process | | | | purely procedural. Most of your time spent in the |
| (except prosecutors - don't listen to them!). It is this | | | | courtroom will be waiting to get called up in front of the |
| same way at your arraignment, which is your first | | | | judge. Once you do get in front of the judge, the |
| court hearing. | | | | arraignment usually takes about five minutes to |
| Before I get going to far, I want to point out that this | | | | complete. At that time the judge will set your conditions |
| article, though discussing arraignment generally, will be | | | | of release and set your next hearing date, the pretrial |
| discussed from the standpoint of the Seattle, | | | | hearing. |
| Washington arraignment and what you might expect | | | | One of the most important things you may have to |
| there. If you are charged with a crime in another state, | | | | face arguing at arraignment is the conditions of |
| it is possible that the process may be slightly different. | | | | release. Typically the conditions of release are not to |
| To make sure that you are doing the right thing, if you | | | | commit any new law violations and not drive without a |
| are charged with DUI in another state, I would consult a | | | | valid license. But from time to time an overzealous |
| DUI attorney in that state before your arraignment to | | | | prosecutor will ask for more stringent conditions of |
| confirm that what I have said applies to your specific | | | | release. If this is the case, then you will want to make |
| situation. | | | | sure you have someone helping you (a DUI attorney). |
| The arraignment is the first opportunity for you to | | | | What your attorney will tell the judge is that conditions |
| appear before the court. At arraignment, the | | | | of release are supposed to be set to accomplish two |
| prosecutor must formally tell you what charges are | | | | goals: (1) to get you to appear for your next court |
| against you, and must tell the court what charges are | | | | date; and (2) to keep the public safe from harm. The |
| against you. If you are in jail following your arrest, your | | | | conditions prosecutors ask for tend to promote neither |
| arraignment must be held within fifteen days of your | | | | of those purposes. If faced with this situation, make |
| arrest. If you are not in jail, your arraignment must be | | | | sure you have someone to represent you (even if it is |
| held within fifteen days of your first court appearance, | | | | a public defender just for that hearing). |
| though your first court appearance is more often than | | | | In the end, your arraignment shouldn't be a cause for |
| not your arraignment. | | | | concern or sleepless nights. It is simply the first hearing |
| When you go to arraignment, if you do not have a | | | | in the process that will be taking care of your DUI |
| Seattle DUI attorney already retained, you will have the | | | | charges. But, like I always say, if you are charged with |
| opportunity to interview with a public defender. If you | | | | a crime, make sure you talk to and hire a criminal |
| want to get private counsel, you will have time to do | | | | attorney as soon as possible. |
| that (though your arraignment will still occur on that | | | | |