the right to call and confront witnesses. Dolan Law Offices 45-290 Fargo St. Indio, CA 92201-3651 Phone: 760.775.3739. This is called double jeopardy. A finding of not guilty is not the same as a finding of innocence. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply. What Is the Process for an Arraignment Hearing? Felonies - The Superior Court of California, County of Santa Clara There are three options: guilty, not guilty, orno contest. If the defendant poses a flight risk or if the crime for which the defendant is being charged was violent in nature, a court might remand the defendant to custody. What happens at a felony arraignment? The San Diego County District Attorney's Office has the responsibility and authority to investigate and prosecute all felonies in San Diego County. Hes held in theWest Valley Detention Centerin lieu of $50,000 bail. List Of Mitigating And Aggravating Sentencing Circumstances, crucial to achieving the best possible result. California's criminal laws on felony arraignment hearings generally follow the rules and procedures outlined above. This means he or she agrees to have the trial after the 60-day period (also known as waiving time). Felony cases are usually processed like this: Arrest Arraignment Preliminary Hearing Jury Trial or Court Trial Arrest The police arrest the defendant and take him or her to jail. However, in a capital case, the court shall inform the defendant that the defendant must be represented in court by counsel at all stages of the preliminary and trial proceedings and that the representation will be at the defendants expense if the defendant is able to employ counsel or at public expense if he or she is unable to employ counsel, inquire of him or her whether he or she is able to employ counsel and, if so, whether the defendant desires to employ counsel of the defendants choice or to have counsel assigned for him or her, and allow the defendant a reasonable time to send for his or her chosen or assigned counsel. You may find arraignments chaotic, confusing and perhaps intimidating. Be aware, however, that even if you validly excuse yourself from an arraignment, the court retains the right to order you to appear in person at any time until the final resolution of your case.10, If you were arrested for a misdemeanor, you are typically permitted to have your attorney appear on your behalf.11However, there are some exceptions, the most common of which include. What Happens at an Arraignment? What to Expect Got pulled over firs . This could be for a number of reasons. To learn more about the rules in criminal cases, read the California Rules of Court, Title 4. Not really. Not only do you stand to face a number of legal penalties, but you could also face other consequences that last for some time. With respect to constitutional rights, note that the U.S. Constitution affords you with the following: Felony arraignment hearings in federal cases typically take place in a district court. Because John is now out of custody, the D.A. *The court sets or modifies the defendants bail. Then, one of 3 things happens: The jail lets the defendant out without filing charges, or The defendant posts bail/bond or is released on his/her own recognizance ("OR"). If you or your attorney fails to appear (commonly referred to as an FTA), the court will generally issue a California bench warrant. See California Penal Code 1320 and 1320.5 PC. Will the judge consider reducing my bail at the arraignment? A plea of no contest means that the person is not agreeing that they committed a crime, but they are willing to accept a conviction. The information you obtain at this site is not, nor is it intended to be, legal advice. Seppi Esfandi is an Expert in Criminal Law who has over 20 years of practice defending a variety of criminal cases. This is normal, especially in urban courts. The 48-hour rule applies to all crimes that require you to remain in custody, regardless of whether they are felonies or misdemeanors. In the meantime, you must obey all laws and appear to all court dates, if youre facing felony charges. 9. Arraignments differ from preliminary hearings. When the police arrest someone (the defendant), they take him or her to jail.Then, 1 of 3 things happens: 1. Our team of attorneys and investigators are available 365 days a year, ready to come to your aid. and accept pleas (guilty, not guilty or no contest). By FindLaw Staff | Weekends and holidays are not included in calculating these 48 hours. There are times when an arraignment is not conducted until quite some time after a criminal complaint, indictment (filed after a grand jury trial), or information is issued. Although the exact process and rules may differ from state to state and jurisdiction to jurisdiction, this article provides a general overview of what to expect at an arraignment hearing. Youll likely be granted one continuance without hassle from the judge. John Patrick Dolan is a California State Bar Certified Specialist in Criminal Law, the highest achievement awarded by the State Bar of California to attorneys in the field of criminal law. (b) Every person who is charged with or convicted of the commission of a felony who is released from custody on his or her own recognizance and who in order to evade the process of the court willfully fails to appear as required, is guilty of a felony, and upon conviction shall be punished by a fine not exceeding five thousand dollars ($5,000) or by imprisonment in the state prison, or in the county jail for not more than one year, or by both that fine and imprisonment. Defendants may waive preliminary hearings, meaning they are not required to be present. During the trial, lawyers present evidence through witnesses who testify about what they saw or know. If you are released from custody prior to your first court appearance, you will be arraigned at the court date provided to you when you are released from custody. DUI arrests don't always lead to convictions in court. Dont appear too happy or too distraught. "He would repeatedly access the Instagram page of one of Ana's male friends from . Clear and convincing evidence is required to show that detention is necessary to protect public safety. This is a separate crime from the underlying offense for which you failed to appear. We invite you to contact us and welcome your calls, letters and electronic mail. This article has been written and reviewed for legal accuracy, clarity, and style byFindLaws team of legal writers and attorneysand in accordance withour editorial standards. The defendant will be asked if they have an attorney. Being arrested for a crime does not necessarily mean you will be convicted. Learn more about FindLaws newsletters, including our terms of use and privacy policy. Defendants are arraigned regardless of whether they have been charged with a felony or a misdemeanor. If you committed an offense that requires you to remain in custody (that is, in jail), you must be arraigned within 48 hours of your arrest, not including weekends and holidays.1 This timeframe establishes the maximum amount of time the police and prosecutors have to place you before a judge. If you are found guilty after a trial, you have the right to an appeal process. You should consult an attorney for advice regarding your individual situation. These rights include: The right to legal counsel The right not to incriminate yourself An arraignment must occur within 48 hours of an arrest if the arrestee is kept in custody after the arrest. (3) The defendants promise not to depart this state without leave of the court. This is called discovery. Defendants may be limited in what information they are able to see, but their lawyers usually are not. Depending on the circumstances, if you fail to appear for a felony arraignment, you may face charges under either: The failure to appear on a felony charge is a felony offense. Shouse Law Group has helped many citizens get charges reduced or dismissed, and keep their records clean. Shouse Law Group has wonderful customer service. the court will set, modify, reinstate, or exonerate your bail. Finally, the jury decides if the defendant is guilty or not guilty. Contacting us does not create an attorney-client relationship. (A police officer who makes an arrest without a warrant and without justification may be held civilly liable for [California] false arrest and imprisonment [And at 473], We are satisfied that the better rule is that where the arrest is lawful, subsequent unreasonable delay in taking the person before a magistrate for the arraignment will not affect the legality of the arrest, although it will subject the offending person to liability for so much of the imprisonment as occurs after the period of necessary or reasonable delay.) See also, California Penal Code 859 PC Charge of felony by written complaint. If they do not, the court can appoint them a lawyer. Next the defendant will be asked how they plead to the charges. Definitely recommend! Bail. Courts consider a number of factors in determining how to set bail or whether to release the defendant pending his trial. Felony arraignments are one of the first steps in the process of being formally charged with a felony. If the judge raises, refuses to reduce your bail amount, or release you O.R. A County bail schedule sets forth the amount for bail for each type of crime. Felony arraignment hearings are court proceedings that take place in criminal cases that involve felony charges. Otherwise, your attorney may appear on your behalf for future appearances. Every crime in California is defined by a specific code section. At that time, the defendant will enter a plea and proceed to trial. Visit our California DUI page to learn more. A felony charge may require two arraignments: the initial arraignment in the inferior court and, if the defendant is bound over following a preliminary hearing, a subsequent arraignment in superior court. Arraignments may occur several weeks after the arrest if you are out of custody. 2. Other times, the defendant may also be taken back to jail until the trial. The trial must start within 60 days of the arraignment on the Information. In short, you enter a plea at your arraignment and learn about the charges you're facing. At the arraignment, the judge tells the defendant: What the charges are, What his or her constitutional rights are, and That if he or she does not have enough money to hire a lawyer, the court will appoint a lawyer free of charge. In his first speech since pleading not guilty to 34 felony counts, former President Donald Trump railed against the Manhattan district attorney and the indictment. (D) Section 23153 of the Vehicle Code [Californias DUI causing injury law]., California Penal Code 1320 PC Failure to appear after release upon own recognizance; violation; presumption; penalty. Some require defendants to be informed of certain specific constitutional rights and consequences of conviction. Some exceptions, however, may apply. We'll review your situation with a free consultation. After the court apprises a defendant of all charges, he is then asked how he would like to plead. Copyright 2023 Leaf Group Ltd. / Leaf Group Media, All Rights Reserved. When this is the case, the misdemeanor arraignment hearing generally does not take place for at least ten days following your arrest.5. Get tailored advice and ask your legal questions. If you were arrested for one of these misdemeanor offenses, California law will most likely require your presence at the arraignment. Any plea other than "not guilty" could end the criminal trial process on the spot. Hopefully, the judge will agree to reduce the bail to an amount that reachable for you and your family. TermsPrivacyDisclaimerCookiesDo Not Sell My Information, Begin typing to search, use arrow keys to navigate, use enter to select, Please enter a legal issue and/or a location, Begin typing to search, use arrow Before the trial starts, the lawyers choose a jury. If you failed to appear before the court for arraignment in a felony case, then here are your punishments: 3 years at most in county jail; A maximum $5,000 fine; and; Additional $5,000 to $10,000 fine if the defendant posted bail for their arrest. The judge is not allowed to consider any evidence of guilt or innocence at this hearing, but statements made by defendants at arraignment might be incriminating and used against them later. Please do not send any confidential information to us until such time as an attorney-client relationship has been established. Either side can file pretrial motions, including motions to set aside (cancel) the complaint, to dismiss the case, or to prevent evidence from being used at trial. A criminal record can affect job, immigration, licensing and even housing opportunities. To be allowed counsel as in civil actions, or to appear and defend in person and with counsel [even as early as the arraignment], except that in a capital case he shall be represented in court by counsel at all stages of the preliminary and trial proceedings. This form is encrypted and protected by attorney-client confidentiality. What actually happens during an arraignment hearing? Is this - Avvo What Happens at Your Arraignment in the State of California? In most jurisdictions, these hearings are when courts. Shouse Law Group has wonderful customer service. Very helpful with any questions and concerns and I can't thank them enough for the experience I had. Every case is different. It must be held within 48 hours, not including weekends and holidays, if youre in custody. DUI arrests don't always lead to convictions in court. This means the defendant agrees to have the trial after the required deadline (also known as waiving time). The failure to appear at a felony arraignment will result in a warrant for your arrest and another felony charge for failing to appear. In these situations, a defense attorney may ask the judge to dismiss any charges filed against you. Because hes in custody, the prosecutor must arraign him no later than the following Tuesday (2 court days). At an arraignment hearing, a judge will read the criminal charges against the accused (now called the "defendant"), and ask the defendant whether they understand the charges (regardless of whether they agree with them). Often we can help you get charges reduced or dismissed, and avoid jail and a criminal record. Both theUnited States Constitutionand theCalifornia Constitution empower you with a variety of rights during all criminal procedures. At an arraignment hearing: The next court appearance after the arrangement is usually for: In the article below, our California criminal defense lawyers will explain the arraignment process, your rights, and what you may expect to happen. But it doesnt hurt to try. You want to make sure you appear dressed in business casual attire. 3. If you have additional questions, feel free tocontact usat the Shouse Law Group. Then they will decide if there was any irregularity or mistake that prejudiced (hurt) your case.In addition to appealing after a trial, there are other situations when you can file an appeal, like appealing the validity of a plea or probation violations. The arraignment presents your first opportunity to enter a plea in the case. The prosecutor decides whether to charge the crime as a felony or a misdemeanor. (When the defendant is charged with the commission of a felony by a written complaint subscribed under oath and on file in a court within the county in which the felony is triable, he or she shall, without unnecessary delay, be taken before a magistrate of the court in which the complaint is on file.), California Penal Code 858 PC Informing defendant of charge and right to counsel..(When the defendant is brought before the magistrate [for arraignment] upon an arrest, either with or without warrant, on a charge of having committed a public offense, the magistrate must immediately inform him of the charge against him, and of his right to the aid of counsel in every stage of the proceedings..)See also California Penal Code 859 PC Charge of felony by written complaint; appearance before magistrate; copy of complaint; counsel; minors.