by Editorial TeamYour First Court Date After Being Arrested for DUI in Georgia
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No two cases are alike. However, after being arrested for a DUI in Georgia, you will be required to appear in court. This can be an intimidating process, but you don’t have to go through it alone. Hiring an experienced DUI attorney to defend you is one of the first steps to take in helping your case. They will handle your first appearance for you, walk you through your case, and advise you how to proceed.
In this article, we will give you a quick rundown of what to expect from your first court date.
What to Expect
During the time of your arrest, you will receive a time and location on your ticket to appear in court. You must appear or have an attorney appear for you, otherwise, the judge will issue a warrant for your arrest.
Your DUI Arraignment
At your arraignment–your first appearance–the judge will read your charges, inform you of your rights, and determine whether you can afford an attorney or need one appointed to you.
If you already have counsel, you will enter a plea of guilty or not guilty. If you do not have an attorney representing you at the time of the arraignment, the judge cannot move the proceedings forward until you do. You will enter a plea at the next court hearing once you obtain an attorney.
Acquiring Counsel
It’s smart to get counsel before your arraignment, but maybe you didn’t have time or you didn’t have the money. Ask the judge for more time to find a criminal law attorney and explain your reasons. Be forthcoming; the judge should give you the time needed to attain counsel.
Don’t waste this extra time given to you. Showing up to the second hearing without an attorney will not go over well with the judge. If for whatever reason you could not obtain counsel, you must demonstrate your efforts to hire an attorney.
Hiring a private attorney is not your only option. You may apply for a public defender if you can’t afford an attorney.
Not a lot may happen at an initial appearance
Once your attorney enters a “not guilty” plea, an investigation process follows. During this time, your attorney gathers all pertinent information about your case. They may file a motion to have evidence or the entire case dismissed. If a motion to dismiss is denied, your case moves on to a trial.
Whether or not you have an attorney, when you appear for your arraignment, consider the following points.
- Clear your day: Depending on the court’s schedule you could be there for a few minutes to several hours. Having an attorney helps you in this aspect since many judges take attorney cases first.
- Dress appropriately: You don’t need to wear a suit, but don’t show up in shorts, either. Demonstrate respect for the court by wearing something nice. Wearing your uniform for work is usually acceptable, too.
- Be patient: Don’t let your emotions become raw because of the wait or poor treatment by the staff. Stay calm and collected. You don’t want the prosecution to have any further ammunition to use against you. Being respectful to court staff and the judge will go a long way.
