Arraignment When Charged With a Criminal Offense in Massachusetts

Massachusetts Criminal Defense Lawyer Michael DelSignore is your guide throughout the criminal process to help you get the best results possible when facing a criminal charge. Attorney DelSignore’s goal is to make sure you understand the court process to less some of the anxiety you naturally have when facing a criminal charge in Massachusetts. Attorney DelSignore handles all types of felony and misdemeanor cases in Massachusetts.

For many, the arraignment date following an arrest is the first time stepping into a court house to face the judge. For this reason, many people are nervous about their arraignment date and, understandably, do not know what to expect. The arraignment will be held in a timely manner after you have been released from the police department; commonly the next morning at the District Court, or, if you were arrested over the weekend, you can likely plan to go to court the following Monday. Whatever your case may be, the bail commissioner will let you know what day to be at Court.

In an effort to help ease any anxiety you may be feeling, Attorney DelSignore want you to understand that the arraignment date is mostly an administrative court date in which you will appear (very briefly) in front of the judge. When you arrive at the courthouse, you will check into probation so they can do a basic intake; the check in process is to make sure you appeared for your arraignment as some charged with a criminal charge will fail to appear and default. The check in process with probation is designed to let the Court know you appeared for your arraignment.

Once you check in you can go to the Courtroom where the Arraignment is being held, in most Court that will be Courtroom 1 or the main courtroom if you are in a court with only one criminal session. For example, Milford and Westboro District Courts only have one criminal session, in both courts you will check into probation located in the basement before going upstairs to Courtroom 1. Courts like Plymouth District Court and New Bedford District Court have multiple criminal session but all arraignments are held in Courtroom 1. In Brockton District Court, arraignments are held in Courtroom 7.

Steps when you face a criminal charge:

1. Arrive at the court—check in with probation
2. Go to the arraignment session

Once in the court room, the Court will eventually call your case; typically there are many other cases scheduled for the same day. When you face a new criminal charge and appear the next day, often there can be a delay as a representative of the police department must sign the application for criminal complaint before the case can be called in Court.

Once you appear before the Court you will enter a not guilty plea. Some people ask if they can say not guilty even if they believe they committed the criminal offense; the answer is yes. You can always change your plea and resolve a criminal charge, but at the arraignment you do not have the information to even decide if you should admit to the charge because you have not received the evidence or discovery. You will receive this evidence between the arraignment date and next court date called the pretrial conference.

When at the court house, try to get a copy of your police report to fax or email over to us DelSignore Law. We will review the police report and give you a good idea of what to expect as your case proceeds. In the meantime, contact us at DelSignore Law whether you are awaiting your arraignment date or have been given a pretrial date, so we can get started on your case.

If you still have questions regarding the steps you should take following your arrest, read more about what to do after being arrested for a dui here.