You’ve been arrested or otherwise charged with a crime and you have an arraignment scheduled
in Massachusetts.
What’s an arraignment?
Hi.
I’m Steve Brooks.
I’m a Massachusetts trial attorney with an office in Boston and in Dedham.
And I can answer your questions on what an arraignment is.
An arraignment is the first appearance in court.
It’s where the charges are read to a defendant and they’re formerly notified of the crimes
the government charges them with.
Now, in district court, a not guilty plea is automatically entered against the defendant.
Wherein, superior court a defendant is expected to stand up and say the words “not guilty”
in order to enter that plea.
Also at the arraignment, the issue of bail is discussed while the overwhelming number
of people simply get released on their own recognizance, which is their promise to appear
at all the later court dates – some people have to have a bail hearing.
At a bail hearing, the prosecutor argues that a person should have to post bail in order
to get released.
The defendant argues that no bail is necessary and that they will come back on all the court
dates that are scheduled.
Sometimes, when someone has a large number of repeat offenses or if they’re held because
they have a pending case, the issues of revocation of bail comes up.
Now I expect that you’re watching this video because you have either someone close to you
has a case pending or there’s an arraignment scheduled or you have a case pending with
an arraignment scheduled, and you have questions about the process.
I’d be happy to answer the questions you have.
Call me at 781-251-0555.
Thanks for listening.