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Ask Attorneys in Denver: What Is an Arraignment?

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In the event that you're accused of a driving-related crime like vehicular homicide, vehicular assault or vehicular eluding in the state of Colorado, it's natural to be confused by the complex nature of the legal process that lies ahead. In today's post, we'll focus on the topic of arraignments so that you have a better idea of what to expect if you ever face criminal charges.

Attorneys.com, an online legal resource, defines an arraignment as follows:

"An arraignment is usually the first part of the criminal procedure that occurs in a courtroom before a judge or magistrate. The purpose of an arraignment is to provide the accused with a reading of the crime with which he or she has been charged."

Arraignments are required by the Sixth Amendment to the United States Constitution as a means of protecting defendants from being held in custody for an extended period of time without being informed of the charge(s) brought against them. As such, they typically occur within 72 hours of an arrest.

Here's a general overview of what you can expect at an arraignment:

  • The judge will appoint an attorney to represent the defendant if he or she hasn't already hired attorneys in Denver
  • The judge will give the defendant written notice of the charge(s) and take the defendant's plea
  • The judge will review the defendant's bail status
  • The judge will set dates for upcoming hearings.

If you've been accused of a crime in the state of Colorado, attorneys in Denver from The Orr Law Firm are available to accompany you to an arraignment and ensure that you know how to best approach this part of the process.

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