Local Law Firms Home > DUI DWI Drunk Driving Overview > Driving While Intoxicated > DWI Arraignment Driving While Intoxicated Arraignment Sometime after your arrest for a DWI (driving while intoxicated), you will have to appear before a judge for your arraignment. An arraignment is a court appearance in which a defendant is formally charged with a crime and asked to respond to the charge by entering a plea (guilty or not guilty). A lawyer may also be appointed for you and the amount of your bail may be set. Most defendants charged with misdemeanors who haven't already posted bail are released on their own recognizance at arraignment. Having an attorney represent you at arraignment is normally unnecessary. At this stage, you are only entering a plea, and you can plead not guilty. You can always change your plea to guilty or "nolo contendere" (no contest) later. Were you or a loved one arrested for driving while intoxicated? Contact a DWI attorney in your local area today for more information. Our criminal defense lawyers represent clients with various aspects of drunk driving litigation, including but not limited to:
In most states you can also insist on a jury trial. In these states you don't have to specifically request a jury trial; it is assumed you want one unless you expressly waive that right. You can always drop your demand for a jury trial later. If you're charged with having prior under-the-influence convictions, you should deny these convictions so that you or your attorney can challenge their validity later. Is your loved one currently in jail for driving while intoxicated? Do you have a loved one who was injured by an intoxicated driver? No matter what your situation may be, our drunk driving attorneys can help! Contact a DWI lawyer in your local area to discuss your case today. |