What To Expect During Your First Court Appearance For A DUI Or Drug Charge In Atlanta, GA

In this article, you will discover:

• The purpose and importance of an arraignment hearing in Georgia.
• How you should dress for your arraignment and what you should bring.
• Whether you will need to speak at your arraignment.

What Is An Arraignment, And When Does It Occur For DUI Or Drug Charges?

The arraignment is typically the first court appearance after you’ve been charged. It’s not a crucial court date. In fact, it’s relatively inconsequential.

The only purpose of an arraignment is to let the court know that you’re pleading “not guilty”. 90% of the time when a lawyer appears and pleads “not guilty” on your behalf, a new court date is issued.

You don’t need to have anxiety about an arraignment for a DUI, although clients tend to. Hopefully, your attorney tells you ahead of time not to worry about the arraignment. That usually makes all the difference in the world.

What Should I Wear To My First DUI Or Drug Court Appearance, And Will I Need To Speak?

Dress appropriately. Some people come to court wearing a suit. Sometimes that works; sometimes that’s overkill. Maybe you can wear a suit without a tie, but at the very least, dress business casual.

Common sense dictates that if you’re charged with DUI, you don’t want to come to court in shorts, a Budweiser T-shirt, and flip-flops. That could aggravate the judge.

As far as your speaking, there’s very little to no speaking required on your part. Your lawyer can plead “not guilty” on your behalf.

Does The Judge Decide Guilt Or Innocence At The First Court Appearance In DUI Cases?

The purpose of an arraignment is not to judge guilt or innocence. The sole purpose of the arraignment is to plead “guilty” or “not guilty”.

How Does Having Legal Representation At My First DUI Or Drug Hearing Help Protect My Rights?

Having skilled representation at your first court appearance protects your rights because there are specific required deadlines and benchmarks in a DUI case.

Some courts require you to file motions. For example, at the arraignment, some judges have local rules that require you to file motions 10 days after the arraignment.

If you go to the arraignment without an attorney, often these critical deadlines can be missed, and that can negatively affect your case. For that reason and more, it’s also advisable to have representation.

Still Have Questions? Ready To Get Started?

For more information about first court appearances in Atlanta DUI cases, an initial consultation is your next best step. Get the information and legal answers you are seeking by calling (404) 681-4000 today.