24/7 Arraignments

Representing Clients For Arraignments 24/7

An arraignment is one of the first and most important steps in an arrest for which you will need an attorney. Arraignments happen in all five boroughs of New York City from the hours of 9 a.m. to 1 a.m. every day, 365 days a year.

One of the most stressful aspects of a criminal case is the time period leading up to and including the initial arraignment on the charges. It is absolutely critical that you call an experienced lawyer to guide you through this process.

At Konta Georges & Buza P.C. we offer 24/7 arraignment services because we are committed to protecting your rights at every stage of the criminal process. Our lawyers are no strangers to the courtroom, having successfully defended countless clients in the five boroughs of New York City.

Call 212-710-5166 as soon as possible for help during your arraignment. We offer free consultations.

Setting Up The Arraignment

If you were arrested, it means the police determined they had reasonable cause to believe that you committed a crime. The police need to gather evidence that proves beyond a reasonable doubt that you are guilty. If your loved one is being held in custody until their arraignment (which, in this case, must occur within 24 hours), you need to enlist an attorney’s help immediately. While the defendant is being held, the police will be gathering evidence against them, and it is critical that you start strategizing your own defense.

Once the police have gathered evidence, they will meet with the district attorney (DA), who will decide which charges will be filed against the defendant. The DA’s office then files the document with the court. While this happens, the police transport the defendant to the courthouse and place them in central booking. This is the last place they will have to wait before the court is ready. Once all the papers are ready, the court gives the defendant’s case a docket number. This is a unique number used to identify the case for court purposes. The case is now ready for arraignment.

What Is An Arraignment?

The arraignment on a criminal court complaint is officially the beginning of the case. The purpose of the arraignment is threefold:

• To alert you that there is a case against you and tell you what the charges are
• To have your rights read to you (this is usually waived by your lawyer, who presumably tells you these rights when you speak to him or her)
• To have the judge determine whether bail is appropriate

At this point, the defense attorney is given a copy of the complaint and the judge will start considering if the bail should be posted. The DA will then give a narrative of what the accusations are and review your criminal history and community standing with the judge.

Your lawyer will then have an opportunity to argue that the judge should issue lesser bail or should release you outright. The judge makes a determination as to what the appropriate bail should be based upon the arguments by the prosecutor and your lawyer.

Setting Bail

The issue regarding how much bail should be given depends on three factors in the New York state court. They are:

• The strength of the case against you
• How much jail time you are you facing, if convicted?
• What contacts you have in New York

Thus, a person who is facing a 10-year mandatory minimum sentence on a strong case who has previously been convicted of similar conduct and has no contacts with anyone in New York is probably going to have more bail set than a first-time arrest misdemeanor case involving a person who is a lifelong New York resident.

You Can Start Building Your Defense During Arraignment

There is no doubt that the arraignment procedure is very stressful for a recently arrested person. It is often the person’s first contact with a criminal court proceeding, and it can be very confusing. The arraignment often sets the tone for the entirety of the case. Your lawyer needs to be very careful about what he or she says and doesn’t say during the proceeding.

After the arraignment, the case proceeds in different ways depending on the type of case it is. It is therefore critical that you retain an experienced attorney who can represent you for this very important proceeding.

Get A Seasoned Attorney In Your Corner

Avoid making an unnecessary mistake that puts your future and your rights at risk. Get a seasoned attorney in your corner during your arraignment. We will aggressively defend your interests from the beginning until the end of your case.

Contact our firm online or by phone at 212-710-5166 today if you or a loved one is awaiting arraignment. The firm is available for arraignments 24/7.