If you have received a Desk Appearance Ticket (DAT), or have recently been arrested you will invariably have the displeasure of attending your Criminal Court Arraignment. Regardless of the offense, your Arraignment proceeding will be the same, which is discussed below. The court process for offenses such a Misdemeanor, DWI, Possession of a Controlled Substance, or even a Sex Crime offense are all heard for arraignment after the initial arrest or DAT. Making your first appearance in court can be a very intimidating experience. The issues that will be decided at your arraignment are important, because they can substantially effect how your case will proceed through the court system. It is extremely important to contact a NYC Criminal Arraignment Lawyer from our office to assist you in this matter. We have locations available to you throughout New York City, as well as Westchester County and Nassau County.

After your arrest and booking, or after receiving your DAT, the next legal step will be to attend your Arraignment hearing. Contacting a NYC Criminal Lawyer as early on in your case as possible is very important. Note that NYC Criminal Court has changed its hours of operation in the recent past, and now holds arraignment hearings Monday to Sunday, 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 a.m.

Your New York Criminal Lawyer will explain to you prior to your hearing that you are presumed innocent, until proven guilty. Once you have entered your plea of "not guilty", important decisions will be made by the arraignment judge. These decisions include things such as whether you should be released (called "ROR" or released on your own recognizance), if bail should be set, and the amount. The judge has a tremendous amount of discretion in deciding these matters. The judge will review look to see how serious the crime was, whether the defendant has a criminal record (including any warrants issued as well has past criminal convictions), and if the defendant possesses adequate ties to the community. A community tie would be something in the nature of home ownership, employment in the area, as well as friend and family connections. While these matters are considered, it is ultimately the job of your Criminal Lawyer to persuade the judge to release you on your own recognizance, or if bail is set, to keep the amount to an absolute minimum. Having a Criminal Lawyer at your arraignment is of great importance to achieve the best possible result.

Your arraignment hearing is just the beginning of what can be a long process. Obtaining the help and support of a NYC Criminal Arraignment Lawyer is very important to ensure your case is properly handled. When you contact the office of Stephen Bilkis and Associates, you will receive a free initial case consultation as well as guidance during this difficult time. Whether you are facing a Gun crime or one for Domestic Violence, contact us today for an appointment at 1-800-NY-NY-LAW. We have a location nearby whether you are in New York City, including Manhattan and Queens or any outlying county such as Suffolk County or Nassau County.