What is an Arraignment?

The arraignment is the defendant’s response in open court to the formal charges filed by the state. It may invlove merely a reading of the charges and the defendant’s plea. This type of arraignment is comon if the charges are federal and being prosecuted in the Middle District of Florida. The defendant may waive reading of the charges and, if represented by counsel, their counsel may waive arraignment by filing a written plea of not guilty at or prior to arraignment. This type of arraignment is common in St. Johns, Putnam, Flagler and Volusia counties. In Jacksonville the arraignment takes place at the jail and is commonly referred to as J1. If the defendant is not represented, the court must advise the defendant of their right to counsel of choice or appoint counsel at arraignment and all subsequent proceedings. If you have pending criminal charges and have any questions about your arraignment call me at 824-9402.