DUI Arraignment

The first court hearing date in the criminal side of the DUI prosecution is called an arraignment.  An arraignment is when you get to enter a plea of either guilty or not guilty.  Often, even though you are set for arraignment following your arrest, the prosecuting attorney on behalf of the state of Georgia is unprepared to go forward.  You will not want to enter a plea until you have reviewed the evidence against you.  This includes the police report and viewing the videotape from the police cruiser.  Your  DUI attorney will want to postpone or reset the arraignment date until the time this information is available.  

At arraignment, you can enter your guilty plea.  This is a conviction and the Judge will sentence you at the time of the plea in most instances. Usually, you will be taken into custody if jail time is required (though in some instances, this can be delayed).  In the alternative, you can enter a not guilty plea at arraignment.  This will set you for either bench or jury trial calendar.  You may be set for a motions hearing first, such as a motion to suppress, if your lawyer so files such a motion.  

To discuss arraignments and enter a plea of guilty or not guilty, call the Law Office of DUI attorney Richard Lawson for a free consultation.