If you have been arrested, you might be confused and overwhelmed. Most likely, you are unsure of what happens after the arrest and how the court process will proceed. If this is the case, you should start learning about what you will face once you are charged with a crime. One of the first steps after the arrest is the arraignment. Here, I will provide information on what the arraignment is and what you need to do to protect yourself.

Arraignment

An arraignment will most likely be your first interaction with the court system. It is your first appearance before a judge to address the charges, find probable cause, and to set, review, or deny bail. You might be either in custody by the state or already bonded out for an arraignment. If the judge sets bail, you will then have the opportunity to post bail. Usually this is done by cash or through a bail bond agent. Posting the bond through a licensed surety bail bond agent will only cost you a percentage of the total bond.

Bail Decisions

Judges make the decisions for bail based on a variety of factors, including, but not limited to the following:

• Defendant’s ties to the local community.
• Seriousness of the criminal charges.
• The nature and circumstances of the offense.
• The defendant’s record of previous convictions and prior criminal history.
• Defendant’s past record of appearance in court after being admitted to bail.
• The defendant’s family ties.
• The defendant’s employment record.
• Defendant’s financial resources.
• The defendant’s character and mental condition.
• The defendant’s community ties.

Getting Help

Going through the court process can be overwhelming. In order to get bail and learn more about the process you face, it is a good idea to contact a criminal defense lawyer. Such a lawyer can present your reasons for having bail posted in your situation. Because of this, contacting a lawyer is in your best interest.

If you are searching for a lawyer, you can contact our office. One of our lawyers can sit down with you and your family and go over your case. If you are currently being held in custody at a police station, have a family member contact us. We can come to you in order to talk about your case. We can answer your questions during a free consultation and discuss the best steps for you to take.