What to Expect and Why It Matters More Than You Think

🎯 What Is an Arraignment?

An arraignment is your first formal court appearance after being arrested and charged with a crime in Louisiana. It might feel like a formality, but it sets the tone for everything that follows in your case.

At Lawrence Law Firm, we've guided hundreds of clients through arraignments in courts throughout North Louisiana. If you're nervous, don't worry — we're going to walk you through what happens, what to say, and what to expect.

⚖️ The Purpose of the Arraignment

At the arraignment, a judge will:

• Read the charges filed against you

• Explain your rights (including your right to remain silent and your right to counsel)

• Ask if you have an attorney or need one appointed

• Ask you to enter a plea — usually Guilty, Not Guilty, or No Contest

• Possibly set or review your bond

• Schedule the next hearing (pretrial or trial)

✅ What You Should Do at the Arraignment

• Show up early and dress respectfully

• Be polite to the judge and court staff

• Do not speak about your case in front of others

• Let your attorney do the talking

If we've been hired before your arraignment, we'll appear in court with you — and in some cases, we may be able to appear on your behalf, especially for misdemeanor charges, so you don't have to miss work.

🧠 What Plea Should I Enter?

Most people plead Not Guilty at arraignment — and in almost every case, that's what we recommend.

Here's why:

• It preserves all your legal rights

• It gives your attorney time to review the evidence

• It creates leverage to negotiate later

• It prevents you from being locked into a criminal conviction before your case has even been properly reviewed

⚠️ Important: You can always change your plea later. But you can't undo a guilty plea after sentencing.

⛓️ What If I'm Still in Jail at the Time of Arraignment?

If you're in custody, your arraignment may take place via video from the jail or in a courtroom within the jail facility. During this appearance:

• We can still argue for a bond reduction

• We may be able to ask for pretrial release under certain conditions

• We'll begin protecting your rights immediately

Even if it's just a misdemeanor, being proactive at this stage can drastically affect how long you stay in jail and how your case proceeds.

📄 What Happens After the Arraignment?

After you plead “Not Guilty,” the court will:

• Schedule your next hearing date

• Order the prosecution to provide discovery (the evidence against you)

• Allow your defense team to begin building your case

This stage is when we get to work:

• Reviewing police reports

• Filing motions to suppress evidence

• Interviewing witnesses

• Looking for flaws in the government's case

🛡️ Why It's Critical to Have a Lawyer at Your Arraignment

An arraignment isn't just a formality — it's your first appearance on the record and your first opportunity to show the court that you're taking the matter seriously.

At Lawrence Law Firm, we:

• Appear on your behalf when possible

• Prevent you from accidentally waiving key rights

• Ensure bail and bond conditions are fair

• Position you for the strongest possible outcome from day one

📞 Arraignment Coming Up? Don't Go Alone.

The worst thing you can do is walk into court unprepared.

📞 Call 318.232.4000 now to speak with a criminal defense attorney in Ruston, Louisiana who can represent you from your first court date to your final result.
🖥️ Or schedule a free consultation today.

❓ FAQ: Arraignments in Louisiana

Q: Do I have to attend my arraignment in person?
A: For misdemeanors, sometimes your attorney can appear without you. For felonies, you almost always need to appear — unless we make special arrangements with the court.

Q: What happens if I miss my arraignment?
A: The judge may issue a bench warrant for your arrest. Call a lawyer immediately if you missed court.

Q: Can I plead guilty at arraignment to get it over with?
A: You can, but we strongly advise against it. You lose your right to fight the case, negotiate a better outcome, or possibly have charges dismissed.

The blog published by Lawrence Law Firm is available for informational purposes only and is not considered legal advice on any subject matter. By viewing blog posts, the reader understands there is no attorney-client relationship between the reader and the blog publisher. Artificial Intelligence has been used to assist in formatting, topic selection, and organization, and while this information has been reviewed an attorney, this article should not be used as a substitute for legal advice from a licensed professional attorney, and readers are urged to consult their own legal counsel on any specific legal questions concerning a specific situation.