Georgia DUI Arraignment

If you have been arrested for a DUI in the state of Georgia, you must obtain a dedicated defense attorney. The Law Offices of Webb, Willis, and Kohn is focused on defending those accused of driving under the influence.

Following your arrest, you may wonder what to expect. Please read the important information below regarding arraignment.

After you have been arrested, booked and have gone through initial bail phases, the first stage of courtroom-based proceedings takes place - DUI arraignment. You will be called before a judge, who will read the crime against you and refer to you as the defendant. They will ask if you have an attorney or you need the assistance of a court-appointed attorney.

The judge will ask you how you plead, which you will reply "guilty, not guilty or no contest." If you plead guilty, in most cases you will be sentenced on the spot. If you plead not guilty, you will receive notice of your trial date.

The judge decides whether to alter the bail amount or to release you on your own recognizance. These matters may have been addressed before, but are usual revisited during arraignment proceedings. The judge will then announce dates of future proceedings in the case, such as the preliminary hearing, pre-trial motions and trial. It is during this time that the prosecution will give you and our attorneys copies of police reports and any other documents relevant to the case.

Some courts may allow our attorneys to waive the arraignment and plead not guilty, so you will not have to appear in court. Other courts require your presence at your arraignment. In any case, you are required to obey the rules of the court in which you must appear.

Your defense attorney is there to help you through this process. Be sure to choose an attorney at the Law Offices of Webb, Willis, and Kohn that you feel confident will fight for you. Contact us today.