If you have been charged with a DUI in Glendale, your arraignment is likely to be one of the first court dates you will face. Questions start to swirl.
What will the judge ask at the DUI arraignment in Gledale? Do I need an attorney? What happens after you enter a plea?
A DUI arraignment in Glendale is a procedural hearing, not a trial. The judge explains the charges and rights, addresses representation and release conditions when necessary, and asks how you plead.
What Is a DUI Arraignment in California?
An arraignment is the formal court appearance where you’re informed of the charges against you and your constitutional rights. You also have the opportunity to have an attorney represent you and enter a plea.
California Courts identify three common pleas:
- Guilty: You admit the charge.
- Not guilty: You do not admit the charge, and the case continues.
- No contest: You do not contest the charge and typically face consequences similar to a guilty plea.
A guilty or no-contest plea can have significant consequences, so discuss your decision with a defense attorney beforehand. Click here to contact The Law Offices of Mariya Melkonyan for a free, confidential consultation.
What Happens at a DUI Arraignment in Glendale?
The procedure varies depending on your case, but the arraignment covers several basic matters.
The Judge Explains the Charges and Your Rights
The judge tells you what you’ve been charged with and explains your constitutional rights, including your right to an attorney and your right to remain silent.
If you cannot afford an attorney, the court can appoint one. You also have the right to a privately retained attorney.
You Enter a Plea
You will be asked how you plead. You generally do not need to use the arraignment to explain your side of the story. The purpose is to address charges and establish how the case will proceed.
For many defendants, this is one of the most important decisions made at the hearing. A plea can affect how the case proceeds and the consequences you may face, so it’s worth understanding your options before responding.
The Court Addresses Bail or Release Conditions
If you’re still in custody, the judge may address whether you will be released and under what conditions. Depending on the circumstances, the court may release you on your own recognizance, impose supervision or other conditions, or set bail.
What Questions Will the Judge Ask at a DUI Arraignment in Glendale?
Most questions at an arraignment are procedural rather than an invitation to explain everything that happened during your DUI arrest. You may be asked whether you understand the charges, whether you have an attorney, and how you plead. The court may also need to discuss things like your release or the date of your next hearing.
If you’re asked about the underlying facts of the case, remember that you have the right to remain silent and should discuss case-specific questions with your attorney.
The arraignment is not the time to argue the evidence or convince the judge that you were not driving under the influence. The case could explore issues with the traffic stop, field sobriety testing, chemical testing, officer observations, or other evidence as the case progresses.
What Are the Plea Options?
Understanding the basic meaning of each plea can make the arraignment less daunting. Here are your DUI arraignment plea options in Glendale:
| Plea | General meaning |
|---|---|
| Guilty | You admit the charged offense. |
| Not guilty | You do not admit the charge, and the prosecution must continue with the case. |
| No contest | You do not contest the charge and generally face consequences similar to a guilty plea. |
The choice is case-specific. For example, pleading not guilty does not necessarily mean that your case will go to trial. Pleading not guilty doesn’t necessarily mean your case will go to trial; it can be dismissed, resolved through a plea agreement, or proceed toward trial depending on the circumstances.
Can You Get a DUI Plea Deal at Arraignment?
A plea agreement is possible in a criminal case, but there’s no requirement that a DUI case be resolved at the arraignment.
After arraignment, the case generally moves into the pretrial stage. The prosecution and defense exchange discovery, attorneys may negotiate a resolution, and either side can file motions addressing legal or evidentiary issues.
The prosecution provides materials like police reports, photographs, and lab reports as part of discovery. Your attorney reviews that evidence before advising you about potential defenses or any offer made by the prosecution. This is particularly relevant in DUI cases, where evidence can involve more than the officer’s account. Depending on the case, an attorney may need to examine chemical-test procedures, toxicology evidence, field sobriety testing, or other technical issues.
What Happens After a DUI Arraignment?
If you plead not guilty, the judge schedules another court date. For misdemeanor cases, this is usually a pretrial conference; felony cases involve a preliminary hearing. Felony cases generally involve a preliminary hearing.
The next stages can involve:
- Reviewing police reports, chemical-test evidence, and other discovery
- Investigating the circumstances of the traffic stop and arrest
- Evaluating testing procedures and expert evidence
- Negotiating with the prosecution
- Filing motions when appropriate
- Preparing for trial if the case is not resolved beforehand
The timing of future hearings can also involve waiving time, which means giving up certain statutory deadlines for the next stage of the case. California Courts recommend getting legal advice before agreeing to waive time.
The fact that a case continues after arraignment doesn’t mean the defendant has been found guilty; it simply means the court process is continuing. It simply means the court process is continuing.
Does a DUI Arraignment Affect Your Driver’s License?
The DUI criminal proceeding and the driver’s license procedure are two different things. A court proceeding is not an alternative to the procedure with the California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV). The same arrest can involve both criminal proceedings and DMV proceedings, which are treated separately.
It’s wrong to believe that by attending your arraignment proceeding, everything about your driver’s license will be sorted out. There are different deadlines and procedures involved. Deadlines of DMV proceedings are very short and depend upon the particular circumstances of your arrest, so it’s better to sort it out earlier.
Do You Need a Lawyer for Your DUI Arraignment?
You have the right to represent yourself or have the court appoint an attorney if you qualify. Getting legal advice before entering a plea can help you understand charges, potential consequences, and options in your case.
This is especially important if your case involves a prior DUI, high BAC allegation, chemical-test issue, accident, or other aggravating factors.
The Melkonyan Firm is based in Glendale and handles DUI and other criminal defense matters. Managing attorney Mariya Melkonyan has 13 years of experience as a former Deputy District Attorney and has jury-trial experience, including DUI cases. Having experienced counsel from early on can give you a clearer understanding of what information the prosecution has, what decisions need to be made, and what the next stage of the case may involve.
How to Prepare for Your DUI Arraignment
Before your court date:
- Before your court date, confirm the date, time, and location of your hearing.
- Arrange legal representation if you haven’t already.
- Bring your court paperwork and any documentation your attorney told you to bring.
- Arrive early so you have time to get through security and find the courtroom.
- Don’t discussing anything about your case publicly, especially with people involved with the prosecution.
- Write down your questions so you can discuss them with your attorney before making important decisions.
Most importantly, do not assume that your arraignment determines the final outcome of your DUI case, and talk to your attorney about what to expect at the next hearing. It is the beginning of the court process, and the evidence and legal issues can be examined during the stages that follow.
Criminal Defense Attorney Mariya Melkonyan
With 13 years of experience as a former Deputy District Attorney and a dedicated team of attorneys behind her, Mariya Melkonyan will fight to get the best possible outcome on your restraining order hearing. Schedule a no-obligation case review today.
Frequently Asked Questions About DUI Arraignment Glendale
Do I have to tell the judge what happened during my DUI arrest?
Generally, the arraignment focuses on charges, your rights, your plea, and other procedural matters. You have a right to remain silent, so discuss the facts of your case with your attorney before answering substantive questions.
Is a DUI arraignment the same as a trial?
No. An arraignment is an early stage of the criminal process. If the case isn’t resolved, it can proceed through pretrial proceedings and potentially to trial.
What happens if I plead not guilty in a DUI arraignment?
The court will generally schedule another hearing. For a misdemeanor, that’s usually a pretrial conference, while a felony case generally proceeds toward a preliminary hearing.
Should I plead guilty at my DUI arraignment in Los Angeles?
The decision will depend on the specific facts and evidence that you provide. A guilty or no-contest plea can have serious consequences, so talk to an attorney about your options before entering either plea.
Can my DUI attorney appear at my arraignment for me?
Depending on the circumstances of the case and court requirements, an attorney may be able to appear on a defendant’s behalf for certain proceedings. Your attorney can tell you whether your personal appearance is required for your specific Glendale arraignment and what you should expect on the court date.