I've been arrested and accused of a crime and I have to go to court for an arraignment. What should I expect atan arraignment in Virginia?

A: The term arraignment is a general criminal law term which means different things in different states, and even means different things in different courts within a given state. 

Procedurally, in Virginia the term "arraignment" is commonly used to refer to the first appearance an accused will make before the Court.  If the accused is held in jail after being arrested, the arraignment in Virginia (first appearance) usually takes place the next day the court is open.  On the other hand, if the accused is released from custody (after being released on his or her own recognizance, or by posting bail or using the services of a bail bond agent) the arraignment is typically scheduled for a few days later. 

Substantively, this sort of arraignment in Virginia is a brief administrative hearing at which the Court will typically: 

• inform the accused of the allegation / accusation 
• make sure the accused understands the allegation / accusation 
• inform the accused of the right to be represented by a lawyer 
• ask whether the accused plans to hire an attorney of his / her own choosing, request the court to appoint the Public Defender or a private court appointed attorney, or proceed without the assistance of an attorney
• inform the accused of the next court date  

In many Virginia Circuit Courts the term arraignment is used in the more formal sense to describe the stage of a criminal case at which the accused is formally advised of the charge and asked to enter either a guilty or not guilty plea.  In some Virginia jurisdictions, this arraignment process occurs immediately before the trial is started or a guilty plea is taken, and in other Virginia jurisdictions it happens much earlier in the process and further proceedings are scheduled depending upon the particular plea which is entered.

The knowledgeable, experienced and successful Virginia Criminal Defense Lawyers of The Wilson Law Firm can discuss the Virginia arraignment process and other matters of Virginia criminal defense with you in more detail.     

The Wilson Law Firm
DUI, Criminal & Traffic Defense ...When Results Matter

We have helped thousands of clients - and we can help you, too.

(703) 361-6100 / (540) 347-4944

Toll Free
(888) DUI-LWYR
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The lawyers of The Wilson Law Firm have traveled Virginia’s several interstates helping clients just like you - appearing in courts all across the Commonwealth of Virgnia - from Virginia Beach and Norfolk in the southeast, to Wise County in the southwest, all the way up I-81 to Frederick County / Winchester in the northwest, and all the way across Warren County, Fauquier County, Prince William County, and Fairfax County on the way to Arlington County and the City of Alexandria in the northeast. The Wilson Law Firm regularly serves Prince William County, the cities of Manassas and Manassas Park, the towns of Haymarket and Quantico, Fauquier County / Warrenton, Stafford County, Spotsylvania County / Fredericksburg, Loudoun County / Leesburg, Fairfax City, Fairfax County, Arlington County, the City of Alexandria, Culpeper County, Warren County / Front Royal, Clark County / Berryville and Shenandoah County.

The Wilson Law Firm
DUI, Criminal & Traffic Defense ...When Results Matter

We have helped thousands of clients - and we can help you, too.

(703) 361-6100 / (540) 347-4944

Toll Free
(888) DUI-LWYR
(888) 384-5997

The lawyers of The Wilson Law Firm have traveled Virginia’s several interstates helping clients just like you - appearing in courts all across the Commonwealth of Virgnia - from Virginia Beach and Norfolk in the southeast, to Wise County in the southwest, all the way up I-81 to Frederick County / Winchester in the northwest, and all the way across Warren County, Fauquier County, Prince William County, and Fairfax County on the way to Arlington County and the City of Alexandria in the northeast. The Wilson Law Firm regularly serves Prince William County, the cities of Manassas and Manassas Park, the towns of Haymarket and Quantico, Fauquier County / Warrenton, Stafford County, Spotsylvania County / Fredericksburg, Loudoun County / Leesburg, Fairfax City, Fairfax County, Arlington County, the City of Alexandria, Culpeper County, Warren County / Front Royal, Clark County / Berryville and Shenandoah County.