why would my attorney tell me not to attend the formal arraignment in pennsylvania

by Jayson Kuphal 7 min read

Although called a "formal" arraignment, the procedure is informal. This is also the time that the defendant enters their guilty or not guilty plea. If you are the victim of a crime in which an offender was arrested, you are not required to attend the formal arraignment.

Full Answer

Can a defendant be represented at an arraignment without a lawyer?

The defendant is given a copy of the information sheet and advised of his/her rights. Although called a "formal" arraignment, the procedure is informal. This is also the time that the defendant enters their guilty or not guilty plea. If you are the victim of a crime in which an offender was arrested, you are not required to attend the formal arraignment.

What happens if I don’t show up to my arraignment?

Mar 24, 2012 · If your attorney has filed the correct paperwork and waived your appearance, you do not have to be at arraignment. You can check with her or the Clerk to determine if this has been done. My greater concern is that you say "she is a great lawyer but very unreliable." I have never known an unreliable attorney to be a great lawyer.

What happens at an arraignment in Pittsburgh?

Lawyers.com Discuss Your Legal Issue Ask a Lawyer Criminal Law Can something be done if I was not able to attend the formal arraignment because my attorney said he postponed it? QUESTION. Can something be done if I was not able to attend the formal arraignment because my attorney said he postponed it?

What is an arraignment in criminal law?

Jun 15, 2011 · At the circuit or criminal court level, lawyers routinely "waive formal reading of the indictment, enter a plea of not guilty and request a report date." And as Jill pointed out, it is a request that the judge does NOT read the indictment (formal charging document) out loud to …

What does formal arraignment mean in PA?

What happens at a Formal Arraignment in Pennsylvania? A formal arraignment is a brief meeting with courthouse clerks where you will receive the criminal information on your case. The criminal information, which is also called the indictment, tells you the exact charges lodged against you by the Commonwealth.

Can charges be dropped at an arraignment hearing?

Although it is rare, it is possible for charges to be dropped at an arraignment. This may happen through a probable cause hearing, which typically occur during an arraignment. A probable cause hearing is made after a criminal defense lawyer Los Angeles, CA requests a judge to hold this type of hearing.Sep 2, 2021

What happens at an arraignment hearing in PA?

An arraignment is a brief hearing in court held before a magistrate in Pennsylvania. This is the first time you will attend court after an arrest. ... In general, you will be arrested, booked into jail, and then must wait to be released from jail until after your arraignment. It is also nothing like a trial.

What happens if you plead not guilty at an arraignment?

If you plead "not guilty" at the arraignment, the judge will set a date for trial approximately four weeks from the day of arraignment. Pleading not guilty at the arraignment leaves all your options open until you have more time to decide what you want to do.

What happens if charges are dropped before court?

What Does It Mean When a Case Is Dismissed? Dropped and dismissed criminal charges are similar in that the case does not go to trial and the defendant does not face penalties for the alleged offense.Aug 6, 2021

What happens at preliminary hearing in PA?

At the preliminary hearing, the Commonwealth must present a prima facie case, or in other words, they must show enough evidence that a crime has been committed and that the defendant is most likely the one who committed the crime. ... The MDJ then decides if there is enough evidence to send the case to Common Pleas Court.

What does waived for court mean in Pennsylvania?

Although you must attend court on the day of your hearing, you do have the option to “waive” your hearing, which basically means that you acknowledge that the Commonwealth could meet its burden at this stage and you agree to have your case move forward.Feb 22, 2021

How many times can a preliminary hearing be continued in PA?

(b) Each party may be granted one continuance by the Magisterial District Judge upon cause shown. Any such initial continuance, made at the request of either party, shall not be for more than twenty-one (21) days.

What happens after a complaint is filed?

After a complaint is filed, the process that follows is the same as if a law enforcement officer had filed the complaint. The defendant appears at a preliminary arraignment. If you were arrested with a warrant or through a warrantless arrest, you’ll need to appear before a judge for a preliminary arraignment.

How long does it take to file a pretrial motion?

Typically, your criminal defense attorney must file pretrial motions within 30 days of your formal arraignment and the district attorney’s office is obligated to respond. At the formal arraignment, you’ll also be given notice for appearing at a pretrial conference and a Court of Common Pleas judge will be assigned to your case.

What happens after arraignment?

Following the formal arraignment, the defendant and the defendant’s criminal defense attorney appear for a pretrial conference. An assistant district attorney also typically will appear before the assigned judge and a trial date is set. Additional pretrial issues also are addressed during the conference.

What is an alleged crime?

An alleged crime is committed. An adult or juvenile defendant allegedly commits an action that violates the law. Law enforcement authorities are notified. Local police are notified of the time and location of the alleged criminal act, typically by an individual calling 911 or by a law enforcement officer witnessing the act.

How do police file a complaint?

Police representatives initiate criminal charges by filing a complaint with the local magistrate or by making an arrest, which is followed by filing a complaint. The complaint names the defendant and provides a summary of the alleged crimes. A private complaint is filed.

Who can submit a victim impact statement?

The victim or the victim’s loved ones can submit a victim impact statement that the judge will consider. The state’s sentencing guidelines also are taken into account. The judge also reviews the facts of the case, along with any criminal history by the defendant to then determine a sentence.

Don Waggoner

If your attorney has filed the correct paperwork and waived your appearance, you do not have to be at arraignment. You can check with her or the Clerk to determine if this has been done.#N#My greater concern is that you say "she is a great lawyer but very unreliable." I have...

Zachary Michael Ward

If you have hired an attorney and the attorney has filed a Notice of Appearance, Written Plea of Not Guilty and Waiver of Arraignment, you do not have to attend your Arraignment. The only exception in Leon County is the Juvenile Division which requires that a Defendant make an Arraignment appearance.

Robert Laney Hambrick

Trust your lawyer. Don't you think you're better off trusting the lawyer who knows your case, rather than asking a group of lawyers who know nothing about your case questions? Trust the lawyer you have. Communicate with her when you have questions, doubts or insecurities about your case - she's your lawyer.

Can an arraignment be waived in Tennessee?

However , an arraignment is normally a formality . Under the Tennessee Rules of Criminal Procedure , an arraignment can be waived .

Can a judge read an indictment out loud?

At the circuit or criminal court level, lawyers routinely "waive formal reading of the indictment, enter a plea of not guilty and request a report date.". And as Jill pointed out, it is a request that the judge does NOT read the indictment (formal charging document) out loud to you in open court...

What is a court arraignment?

An arraignment is a court proceeding at which a criminal defendant is formally advised of the charges against him and asked to enter a plea to the charges. In many states, the court may also decide at arraignment whether the defendant will be released pending trial.

Can a criminal case be dismissed?

If a criminal complaint, information, or indictment is issued and the prosecutor's office or the court does not schedule the case for arraignment until months or years later, the defendant's attorney can ask that the case be dismissed because of the delay.

What rights do you have to be advised of at arraignment?

In some states, courts are required to advise defendants of certain constitutional rights at arraignment, such as the right to trial, the right to counsel, and the right against self-incrimination. In some state courts, defendants are advised of their rights as a group before appearing in front of the judge.

Can a defendant waive arraignment?

Criminal defendants usually have the option to waive arraignment, especially if a defendant has an attorney. Defense counsel can facilitate this process by communicating with the prosecutor and the court and submitting a waiver of arraignment in writing.

What does it mean when a defendant pleads not guilty?

A not guilty plea means simply that the defendant is going to make the state prove the case against him. Guilty . If a defendant pleads guilty to a very minor crime at arraignment, such as disorderly conduct, the judge may sentence the defendant at arraignment.

What happens when a defendant pleads no contest?

If a defendant pleads no contest, he acknowledges that the prosecutor has enough evidence to prove he committed a crime but does not admit guilt – in other words, that he did it. When a defendant enters this plea at arraignment, the court proceeds in the same way it would proceed if the defendant pleaded guilty.

What is supervised release?

Supervised release. In addition or as an alternative to setting a bond or other conditions of release, the court can place a defendant in a supervised release program while his case is pending. In some states, this is known as pretrial supervision and is similar to being on probation while your case is pending.

What is arraignment in court?

Arraignment is the first stage of courtroom-based criminal proceedings, after the arrest, booking, and initial bail phases. During a typical arraignment, a person charged with a crime is called before a criminal court judge, who: 1 Reads the criminal charge (s) against the person (now called the "defendant"); 2 Asks the defendant if they have an attorney or need the assistance of a court-appointed attorney; 3 Asks the defendant how he or she answers or "pleads to" the criminal charges -- "guilty," "not guilty," or " no contest "; 4 Decides whether to alter the bail amount or to release the defendant on their own recognizance ( Note: These matters are usually revisited even if addressed in prior proceedings ); and 5 Announces dates of future proceedings in the case, such as the preliminary hearing, pre-trial motions, and trial.

What is the first stage of a criminal case?

Arraignment is the first stage of courtroom-based criminal proceedings, after the arrest, booking, and initial bail phases. During a typical arraignment, a person charged with a crime is called before a criminal court judge, who: Announces dates of future proceedings in the case, such as the preliminary hearing, pre-trial motions, and trial.

Can I get a second opinion from a court appointed attorney?

If anything, they could provide you with a second legal opinion in your case or even supplement your court-appointed attorney. They could also start working for you before a court-appointed attorney is named. Having a strong legal team in place could change the outcome in your case.

What are the rules for arraignment?

For instance, some states allow counsel to be present; require defendants to be informed of certain constitutional rights; and/or decide on bail amounts (or whether the defendant must be remanded until trial).

What happens if a defendant is convicted of a crime?

If a criminal defendant faces the possibility of jail time if convicted for the crime (s) charged, the defendant has a constitutional right to the assistance of an attorney, or "counsel." If the defendant wishes to be represented by an attorney but can't afford to hire one, a government-appointed attorney will be assigned at no cost to the defendant.

What happens if a case cannot be resolved?

If the case cannot be resolved through a dismissal or an acceptable plea agreement, then the matter will proceed to trial. At trial, the prosecution must prove to a jury, beyond a reasonable doubt, that you are guilty of the crime that you’ve been accused of committing.

Can I retain a private attorney before arraignment?

You can retain a private attorney before your arraignment. A benefit of doing so is that you may be able to avoid attending your arraignment (and possibly missing work to do so). The private attorney can appear in court on your behalf. [v] There are exceptions to this rule if your case involves domestic violence, [vi] DUI, [vii] or a felony. [viii]

Can you get a bench warrant for arrest?

If you were arrested and released from police custody, and you (or an attorney on your behalf) fail to appear at your arraignment, then the Court can issue a bench warrant for your arrest. [ix]

Can you be released from custody at arraignment?

If you are in custody at the time of your arraignment, the Court may release you and allow you to remain out of custody for the duration of your case. [x] This is known as a release on your own recognizance or an “O.R. release.” Whether you will be granted an O.R. release will depend on such factors as the nature of the charges against you, your criminal history, and the likelihood that you’ll appear at all future court hearings. [xi]