Manhattan Criminal Arraignment Lawyers.

If an individual is arrested in Manhattan, they must be arraigned on the charges within 24 hours of the arrest. An arraignment is the legal term for the process of bringing the accused before a judge to answer to the charges. The decisions made at arraignment have consequences that could alter how the case turns out. If you or someone you know has been arrested and has an arraignment schedules, you'll want to know exactly what to expect each step of the way. Using the services of an experienced Manhattan criminal arraignment lawyer can help ensure that your rights are protected from start to finish.

What Happens After I'm Arrested?

After being arrested the officer has one of two choices to make. The officer can release you after you've been processed with a date and time to appear in court to answer to the charges. This is also known as a DAT or desk appearance ticket and allows you to remain out of jail waiting for an arraignment hearing, which is especially beneficial if you're arrested late at night or on a weekend when a judge isn't readily available. The police officer has the sole determination in deciding whether to issue a DAT or not. The other option is to stay in police custody until a judge can see you. Cases where DATs are typically not issued are domestic violence, warrants, felonies, and open cases. Since the officer is the one responsible for issuing the DAT, you'll want to have a lawyer who has experience speaking with the police to increase your chances of receiving a DAT instead of staying in the custody of the police department. You still have to go to court for arraignment if you receive a DAT.

Arraignment