Having recently been arrested, you may be wondering what to do next. Whether you have been arrested or received a Brooklyn Desk Appearance Ticket which is not the same as a traffic ticket, you will have the responsibility to attend your Arraignment hearing. You will be required to attend your arraignment regardless of your underlying offense, which may include anything from a DWI or Sex Crime issue, a Misdemeanor or a felony drug crime will all be arraigned in Brooklyn Criminal Court. This experience can not only be confusing, but quite stressful. It is important to consult a Brooklyn Criminal Arraignment Lawyer from our office to assist you early on in this process. We have offices not only in Brooklyn, but throughout New York City but in Suffolk and Nassau County as well.
After you have been booked (or received your DAT), you will need to appear at the date and time specified for your Arraignment. Note that Criminal arraignment hours are 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 a.m. Sunday through Saturday. The Brooklyn Criminal Court is located at 120 Schermerhorn Street, in Brooklyn.
Be aware that the criminal court considers a defendant innocent until proven guilty. After your Criminal Arraignment Lawyer enters your plea of "not guilty" the judge will rule on other important matters pertaining to your case. This most important matter to be determined will be whether you will be released (known as "ROR" or released on your own recognizance), or if the judge will order bail. The judge has a lot of leeway in terms of making these determinations, which is all the more reason to have your Brooklyn Criminal Lawyer accompany you to your hearing. The judge will review your criminal record, if any, and the seriousness of the current offense you are being accused of. Your ties to the community will also be considered, including whether you own a home, whether you are employed, and if you have family and friends in the area. It will be the job of your Brooklyn Criminal Lawyer to convince the judge to release you on your own recognizance if possible, and if not, keep your bail at the lowest dollar amount. Having your Brooklyn Criminal Arraignment Lawyer present can have a substantial influence on your case.
Because your Arraignment can set the tone for the case that lie ahead, it is important to seek the advice of a New York Criminal Lawyer as soon as you can. If you are facing an Arraignment on a New York Gun Crime or a dispute with a family member that has resulted in Brooklyn Domestic Violence, ensure that your rights are adequately protected. When you call the office of Stephen Bilkis & Associates, PLLC will be able to offer you guidance and advice. We also offer a free consultation when you call us at 800.696.9529. Regardless of where you are in New York, we have an office conveniently located nearby, from Brooklyn, Bronx, Queens to Long Island or Westchester County.