Defendants should be prepared for all appearances in criminal court, starting with their arraignment. In addition to being unfamiliar with court procedures, defendants may be emotionally unprepared to face charges in court and potentially undergo a trial. We prioritize preparing defendants for all court appearances so they don’t jeopardize any aspects of their case.
You must be prepared to hear the charges filed against you during the arraignment. This can be distressing, especially when combined with unfair requests for bail from the prosecution. You must also be prepared to enter a plea at your first appearance in criminal court and speak before the judge. We will also prepare you for all subsequent court appearances, advising you on how to address the judge, explaining the importance of staying calm and engaged, and addressing any other questions you may have about criminal court proceedings.
Call the Law Offices of John J. Zarych for a free and confidential case analysis from our New Jersey criminal defense lawyers at (609) 616-4956.
How Can You Prepare for a Criminal Court Appearance?
Your first court appearance for criminal charges in New Jersey is the arraignment. You need to prepare for this appearance and all future appearances, and our attorneys are here to assist you.
Enlist Our Lawyers
There are countless complicated procedural aspects of going to trial that defendants need help navigating. Our attorneys can explain how arraignments work and keep you informed about all mandatory court appearances related to your case.
Understand Your Charges
Before your very first criminal court appearance, you should know the charges being filed against you. Official charges can have complicated phrasing, and our attorneys can break down exactly what your charges mean and the potential implications they carry.
Defendants who do not understand their charges risk submitting the wrong plea.
Follow the Court Schedule
Prepare to be present for all mandatory court appearances, especially your initial arraignment. If you are not currently in police custody and are arriving at the courthouse yourself, make sure you bring the appropriate identification and documents to gain entry.
Judges rarely accept excuses from defendants who miss court appearances in criminal cases. Missing an arraignment has consequences, like the judge potentially setting a higher bail or refusing bail altogether. Missing any subsequent criminal court appearances during a trial may result in bail being revoked. We can help prevent this by keeping track of all scheduled court dates.
What Should You Prepare for During a Criminal Court Appearance in New Jersey?
We’ll prepare you for what to expect during all criminal court appearances throughout your case, from arraignment to trial days. Going to court is daunting for anyone, especially defendants with no previous arrests or convictions, and mental preparation is always key.
During your first appearance before the judge, be prepared to hear the exact charges being filed against you. You should also be prepared to enter a plea at arraignment. You must tell the judge you are pleading “not guilty” yourself. Once the judge accepts your plea, the prosecution will request bail.
Our lawyers can prepare defendants for the potential bail amount based on their charges, and we may be able to convince judges to lower bail amounts for first-time offenders. If you are facing charges where no bail is likely, our Atlantic City, NJ criminal defense lawyers will also prepare you for this possibility.
Following the arraignment, how you prepare for upcoming court appearances depends on the purpose. We can explain what to expect each day and ensure you are emotionally prepared for what’s to come.
How Long Do You Have to Prepare for Your First Criminal Court Appearance?
If you’re in police custody, an arraignment must take place within 48 hours in New Jersey. If you are not in custody, you may have much longer to prepare for your initial appearance in criminal court. Even so, you shouldn’t wait to start working on your case; instead, contact our attorneys immediately.
When operating within a relatively short timeframe, our lawyers can quickly review the reason for your arrest and explain the likely charges that will be filed against you at arraignment. Although we can get up to speed on your case quickly, you should not delay contacting us if you are arrested and in police custody, awaiting arraignment.
If you need more time to prepare for the arraignment, our lawyers may request an “adjournment” from the judge that postpones it. Never miss a scheduled arraignment without requesting a postponement because you need more time, as the judge may issue a bench warrant for your arrest.
What Should You Do During a Criminal Court Appearance in New Jersey?
What you do during court appearances for a criminal case can affect its outcome more than you might anticipate.
Answer the Judge Respectfully
One of the most important things you can do during any criminal court appearance, especially the first one before the judge, is to answer the judge respectfully. Refusing to respond to the judge’s questions or speaking in a rude tone does not benefit defendants and makes a bad first impression on the judges overseeing their case.
Pay Attention
Stay engaged during all criminal court appearances. Even if some aspects of a hearing or testimony are confusing, pay attention. Not staying engaged can make defendants seem unfazed by the charges they’re facing and have a negative impact on the judge or jury.
Stay Calm
You must stay calm during all court appearances. Some trial days can be extremely long, and hearing certain testimony or evidence can be particularly upsetting. Keep your composure to the best of your ability, no matter what. Emotional outbursts and visible frustration can affect how judges and juries view defendants.
Contact Our New Jersey Attorneys for Help with Your Defense
Call the Law Offices of John J. Zarych at (609) 616-4956 for help with your case from our Ocean City, NJ criminal defense lawyers.
