Seattle DUI Defense Attorney | Arraignment Uncovered - Part 1
If I were not a Seattle DUI attorney, I perhaps would not understand a large amount, if anything, on the subject of the criminal justice course. I haven’t been in much trouble in the past (I got a minor in possession of alcohol when I was a teenager, but other than that have been in no trouble) and wouldn’t have seen the inside of a courtroom if it were not for my career. So I can sympathize with the feelings of dread and dread that most link with going to court when charged with a DUI.
While it is a lengthy, difficult, and often discomforting course, it is just that, a route. And for most, if not all, of the individuals you deal with, it will be a course they’ve been through many times in the past. And they are there to help direct you through the course (except for prosecutors - don’t pay attention to them!). It is this similar way at your arraignment, which is your opening court hearing.
Before I get moving very far, I desire to draw attention to that this piece of writing, while discussing arraignment in general, will be discussed from the standpoint of the Seattle, Washington arraignment and what you might anticipate there. If you are charged with a misdemeanor in an additional state, it is probable that the route may be somewhat different. To make positive that you are doing the right thing, if you are charged with DUI in another state, I would talk to a DUI attorney in that state before your arraignment to authenticate that what I have stated applies to your precise state of affairs.
The arraignment is the initial opportunity for you to appear before the court. At arraignment, the prosecutor has to formally tell you what charges are against you, and has to notify the court what charges are against you. If you are in jail following your capture, your arraignment must be held within fifteen days of your apprehension. If you are not in detention, your arraignment has to be held inside fifteen days of your initial court appearance, although your first court appearance is more regularly than not your arraignment.