What Happens At A Criminal Arraignment In Essex County
Step One: Hearing The Official Allegations If you or someone you care about was recently arrested, taking immediate practical steps starts with learning what happens at a criminal arraignment in essex county. The first step occurs when the judge calls your case and reads the formal charges against you. Hearing the specific statutory counts helps you and your attorney understand exactly what the prosecution intends to prove in court. Step Two: Learning What Happens At A Criminal Arraignment In Essex County Courts The second major step involves answering the charges by entering a plea. Almost every defense attorney advises clients to enter a not guilty plea during this first appearance. This preserves your rights and buys precious time to examine the evidence, inspect police reports, and build a tailored defense strategy. During this second phase, the court also reviews your constitutional rights. The judge explicitly confirms that you understand your right to remain silent, your ri...