What can you Expect at your Massachusetts Criminal Arraignment?
If you've been arrested in Massachusetts,
your first appearance in court on a criminal charge is the arraignment. This
usually takes place the next business day after your arrest. At an
arraignment in Massachusetts court, the criminal charges against you
will be officially read, and you will enter a plea. Most people
typically enter a not guilty plea at the arraignment. If you do not
yet have a lawyer, a not guilty plea will be entered for you.
In most cases,
even when someone thinks they are guilty and have no defense to the
crime, it still makes sense to wait until a pre-trial to work
out a deal.
Ideally, you should speak to an attorney before an arraignment. The
court will appoint you an attorney if you are unable to afford one.
You will have to provide information about your income and expenses to
determine if you are eligible for for a court appointed attorney. Also
at the arraignment your bail status will be determined, and a future
court date will be scheduled.
If you go to an arraignment without an attorney, the most important
thing to remember is do not speak to the prosecutor or anyone
else about your case! Any statements you make can be used
against you. If the DA offers you a deal on the spot, it is smart to
wait to speak to an attorney to make sure that you aren't being
offered a deal only because the prosecution's case is very weak.
Judges set a bail based on a number of factors such as previous
record, length of time in the community, and seriousness of the
offense.
I am in different MA courts every day,
defending my clients rights and freedom on many different criminal
charges. If you've been arrested, and are being arraigned on a criminal
charge in Massachusetts, call me now at my office in Dedham, MA at (781)326-2700,
or my Brockton office to schedule your free first
appointment now.
By calling, you have nothing to lose.
I'll be happy to talk with you and discuss your case before you decide
if you want to hire me. Defending people accused of crimes is what I
do for a living. Call to set up a free consultation now.
Sincerely,
Elliot Savitz, Attorney at Law
30 Eastbrook Road
Suite 201
Dedham, MA 02026
(781)326-2700
|