during an arraignment when can i ask for a lawyer in ny state

by Carmel Ullrich 6 min read

What happens at an arraignment in New York?

It is the point in time during your New York criminal case when your New York defense attorney states your plea. At an arraignment there will be a formal reading of the criminal complaint so that the defendant may hear and understand the charges being placed against him or her. The defendant is then asked to present a “ plea .”

When do I get a lawyer after my arraignment?

This should happen within the first 72 hours after your arrest. When you are taken before a judge after being arrested, you are referred to as a defendant. As a defendant, it is advisable to get a lawyer before your arraignment. If you cannot afford one, the court you appear before will offer a lawyer for you.

What does it mean to be arraigned in court?

An arraignment is a court proceeding at which a criminal defendant is formally advised of the charges against him and asked to enter a plea to the charges. In many states, the court may also decide at arraignment whether the defendant will be released pending trial.

Can a prosecutor drop charges before arraignment in New York?

For these reasons, a good NY criminal defense attorney can point out weaknesses that the prosecutor didn’t consider and the prosecutor may drop the charges before arraignment. In New York, the first arraignment is called the initial arraignment and must take place within 48 hours of an individual’s arrest.

What happens after arraignment in New York?

If you are released after the arraignment, you must come back to court for every court date. If you don't come to court, the Judge will order a warrant for your arrest. This is called a bench warrant. This means that the police will be notified to find and arrest you and bring you to court.

How long after arraignment is trial?

If the defendant is in custody at the arraignment, the trial must start within 30 days of arraignment or plea, whichever is later. If the defendant is not in custody at the arraignment, the trial must start within 45 days of arraignment or plea, whichever is later.

How long does NYS have to indict?

six monthsThe Prosecutor has six months to indict a Defendant for a felony charge. if the Grand Jury indicts the defendant, then the felony case is on the trial track. Time lines and procedural guidelines must be followed by the court.

What is the main purpose of the arraignment?

The arraignment is a formal process designed to ensure the protection of the defendant's rights. It is often the first time that a defendant sees a judge in their case, and sometimes that can lead to confusion. A defendant should never try to argue the facts of the case or present evidence during the arraignment.

What comes after arraignment?

After the arraignment, you have a preliminary hearing where, as mentioned, the judge decides whether there's enough evidence to even bother moving your case forward to a trial. An arraignment is not actually a preliminary hearing, which is a special type of hearing used in criminal court.

What is arraignment hearing?

Reviewed September 2019. An arraignment is a hearing. It is where the court formally charges the person who abused you with the crime. If the person who abused you is arrested and the District Attorney files a criminal complaint against them, the first thing that will happen in court is the arraignment.

Do First time offenders go to jail?

Some first time felony offenders go to jail. However, it's possible for a person to receive a sentence for a felony conviction without a period of incarceration.

What crimes usually get probation?

In criminal court, offenders may be sentenced to probation for certain charges such as driving while intoxicated (DWI), theft, assault, sex offenses, possession of firearms and burglary, among others.

Does indicted mean guilty?

There is a difference between indicted vs. convicted: An indictment is not a conviction, although statistics show that federal prosecutors are highly successful in convicting the vast majority of people indicted. 2019 data from the Pew Research Center showed that federal prosecutors' conviction rate is over 99.5%.

Is there a need for the accused to be present during arraignment?

If the charge is for an offense within the jurisdiction of the Courts of First Instance, the defendant must be personally present at the arraignment and if for a light offense triable by the justice of the peace or any other inferior courts of similar jurisdiction he may appear by attorney.

Is arraignment required before the court grant bail Why?

It is therefore not necessary that an accused be first arraigned before the conduct of hearings on his application for bail. For when bail is a matter of right, an accused may apply for and be granted bail even prior to arraignment (Serapio vs. Sandiganbayan, GR Nos.

What is the importance of arraignment to the accused?

ARRAIGNMENT • An arraignment is the means of implementing the constitutional right of the accused to be informed of the nature and cause of the accusation against him. Actual arraignment is an element of due process.

What Happens During Arraignment?

If you are arrested, the first time that you appear in court is at a brief proceeding called an arraignment. The arraignment is not your criminal t...

Will I Get Bail?

Bail is addressed during arraignment. The judge has the option of releasing you on your own recognizance (ROR), setting a bail amount, or requiring...

What Is a Bench Warrant?

As your New York criminal arraignment lawyer will explain, if you are released after your arraignment on ROR or because you posted bail, you are re...

What Happens After Arraignment?

After arraignment there are number directions a criminal case can proceed, and your criminal arraignment attorney in New York will represent you th...

Still Have Questions? Contact the Law Offices of Stephen Bilkis & Associates for Help

If you are a loved one is suspected of committing a crime, it is best to have representation by an experienced criminal arraignment attorney famili...

Does a Detainee have the Right to an Attorney During Pre-Arraignment?

A person arrested for a crime has the right to an attorney, including during the period before arraignment. In fact, hiring an attorney early in the process could speed up arraignment and assist a defendant in getting out of jail faster.

Speaking with Police During the Pre-Arraignment Process

After an arrest but before booking, it is common for the arresting officer or other police officials to attempt to speak with a person facing criminal charges. Typically, this is in the guise of giving that person the chance to “clear things up” or tell “their side of the story.”

What Happens During a Meeting with CJA Officials?

At some point during the pre-arraignment process, the detainee will meet with a social worker from the Criminal Justice Agency (CJA) who prepares a report for the court on the issue of whether bail should or should not be set as a precondition for release. While CJA officials are not lawyers, the interview is critically important.

What Is Pre-Arraignment Detention?

Unfortunately, absolutely no part of pre-arraignment detention is pleasant. Although constitutionally required to be held “promptly after arrest,” Gerstein v. Pugh, 420 U.S. 103, 125 (1975), it is not uncommon in New York City for detainees to wait upwards of 24 hours after arrest for arraignment, especially on weekends.

Call a New York City Attorney for Information on the Pre-Arraignment Process

For more information on the arrest process including how retained counsel can improve the odds of receiving a favorable bail order at arraignment, contact the Law Offices of Jeffrey Lichtman

What is a court arraignment?

An arraignment is a court proceeding at which a criminal defendant is formally advised of the charges against him and asked to enter a plea to the charges. In many states, the court may also decide at arraignment whether the defendant will be released pending trial.

What rights do you have to be advised of at arraignment?

In some states, courts are required to advise defendants of certain constitutional rights at arraignment, such as the right to trial, the right to counsel, and the right against self-incrimination. In some state courts, defendants are advised of their rights as a group before appearing in front of the judge.

What does it mean when a defendant pleads not guilty?

A not guilty plea means simply that the defendant is going to make the state prove the case against him. Guilty . If a defendant pleads guilty to a very minor crime at arraignment, such as disorderly conduct, the judge may sentence the defendant at arraignment.

What happens when a defendant pleads no contest?

If a defendant pleads no contest, he acknowledges that the prosecutor has enough evidence to prove he committed a crime but does not admit guilt – in other words, that he did it. When a defendant enters this plea at arraignment, the court proceeds in the same way it would proceed if the defendant pleaded guilty.

What to do if you are arrested?

A knowledgeable attorney can give you information about the arraignment process in your state and discuss your options with you. Having counsel represent you at arraignment can reduce the stress of the arraignment process for you and ultimately might make a difference in what conditions of release the court imposes.

What does the court consider when deciding whether to release a defendant?

In deciding whether to release the defendant pending completion of the case, courts primarily consider: whether the defendant is a danger to the community. the defendant's criminal record. the defendant's ties to the community (how long he has lived in the community and whether he has family nearby)

What bond do you need to post in a court case?

The court can require a cash bond or a surety bond. If the bond is cash only—for instance, $10,000 cash—the defendant must post that amount with the court.

How long does an arraignment last?

However, when called, the arraignment hearing typically happens very quickly. It’s not uncommon for an arraignment to last a mere three minutes. If you or someone you know has to go through an arraignment, don’t be fooled into thinking that the arraignment isn’t that important because of the speed in which it takes place.

What happens after you are advised of charges in New York?

After you have been advised of the charges, entered a plea and all the notices have been given, there’s the last issue of whether you will be detained or released with conditions. As previously discussed, one of the changes in New York State’s laws has dramatically reformed the laws around this issue. Bail reform has eliminated the use of bail and pre-trial detention for most arrests in New York State. In fact, the changes have eliminated bail for all misdemeanors and only applies to nine specific felonies.

What is a 710.30 notice?

For example, if you are alleged to have made incriminating statements at the time of your arrest, the prosecutor will serve what is known as a “ 710.30 (1) (A) notice ”. If your identification and/or the identification process are at issue (i.e . a witness identified you through a line-up or pointing you out at the scene of the crime), the prosecution will serve what is known as a “ 710.30 (1) (B) notice ”.

What is the importance of arraignment?

It is an extremely important part of the case and can have a profound impact on the case’s outcome. The important issues addressed at arraignment include, but are not limited to the following: Advising you of the crimes you are charged with; Advising you of your right to counsel;

What happens after hearing both sides of a case?

After hearing both sides, the judge will make a decision as to continued detention or your release with conditions.

What is the phone number to call if you have been arrested in New York?

If you or someone you know has been arrested in New York call the Law Office of Kevin J. Deloatch, Esq. at (646) 792-2156. The office has an extensive criminal law practice. The outcome of a criminal case is often determined by what occurs at the beginning stages of the prosecution. Call today for a free consultation.

What happens if you are arrested in New York?

In New York State, prior to the new changes, if a person was arrested and charged with a crime, they were taken to central booking to be fingerprinted and interviewed by the police department. They were then taken to court to be arraigned.

What happens when you are taken before a judge?

When you are taken before a judge after being arrested, you are referred to as a defendant. As a defendant, it is advisable to get a lawyer before your arraignment. If you cannot afford one, the court you appear before will offer a lawyer for you. An arraignment gives a defendant an opportunity to enter a plea of guilty or not guilty once charges ...

What happens if the court reads your charges?

Wait for the arraignment day and when the court reads your charges, your lawyer can present the information you gathered regarding your case. If the information you have is convincing, a judge can rule that the prosecution does not have adequate evidence to bring up charges against you and the case will be dismissed.

Can you get your case dismissed on arraignment day?

You can get your case dismissed on an arraignment day and avoid going to trial. Uncover all the details regarding your case before the arraignment day. This should include copies of the arresting officer’s notes, names of witnesses and their contact details, photos and videos from the crime scene, maps or diagrams the prosecution intends to use ...