{"id":286674,"date":"2016-04-04T10:45:08","date_gmt":"2016-04-04T15:45:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/dui\/cases\/dui-arraignment.html"},"modified":"2026-04-21T19:05:56","modified_gmt":"2026-04-22T00:05:56","slug":"dui-arraignment","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/dui\/cases\/dui-arraignment.html","title":{"rendered":"What Is a DUI Arraignment Hearing?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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What Is a DUI Arraignment Hearing?<\/h1>\n\n
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\n By Lark Lewis, J.D.<\/a> | Legally reviewed by Melissa Bender, Esq.<\/a>\n | Last updated\n
\n \n <\/i>\n Legally Reviewed\n <\/summary>\n\n
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This article has been written and reviewed for legal accuracy, clarity, and style by FindLaw\u2019s team of legal writers and attorneys<\/a> and in accordance with our editorial standards<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n\n

\n \n <\/i>\n Fact-Checked\n <\/summary>\n\n
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The last updated date refers to the last time this article was reviewed by FindLaw or one of our contributing authors<\/a>. We make every effort to keep our articles updated. For information regarding a specific legal issue affecting you, please contact an attorney in your area<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n<\/section>\n\n\n

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An arraignment is the first time<\/span> an accused person appears in court. The arraignment, or initial hearing, informs the accused of their rights and the charges against them. In a driving under the influence<\/span> (DUI) case, this court hearing<\/span> will determine your plea, bail, and other key aspects of your case. It may even be your only court appearance<\/span>.<\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n\n\n\n

Many people arrested for a DUI have never had a criminal case<\/span> in court. And because they have no experience in the courtroom, they don\u2019t understand how the process works.<\/p>\n

In DUI cases<\/span>, the arraignment usually represents the first and last time the suspect will be in court. This is because most DUI suspects choose to plead guilty. This is especially true if evidence of intoxication is solid and a\u00a0plea bargain<\/span><\/a>\u00a0is unlikely.<\/p>\n

This article explains the timing and court process<\/span> of an arraignment. It also covers the right to counsel and when evidence becomes available to a defense attorney<\/span>.<\/p>\n

Before your first <\/span>court appearance<\/span>, get advice about the arrest, driver\u2019s <\/span>license<\/span> suspension<\/span>, and how to plead from a local DUI lawyer<\/span><\/a>. They can also explain the rest of the legal process<\/span> at your case evaluation<\/span>.<\/p>\n

When Will I Be Arraigned?<\/h2>\n

After your arrest for driving under the influence<\/span> (DUI), the arraignment should happen within a few days. This helps reduce the mounting stress and confusion of the DUI charges<\/span> against you.<\/p>\n

Arraignment is the first stage of courtroom-based proceedings after the DUI\u00a0<\/span>arrest<\/span><\/a>,\u00a0booking<\/a>, and initial\u00a0bail phases<\/a>\u00a0of the DUI process<\/span>. Although courts are busy with pending cases, you have the\u00a0right to a speedy arraignment<\/a>.<\/p>\n

What Happens During a DUI Arraignment<\/span>?<\/h2>\n

During a typical DUI arraignment<\/span>, you must appear before a criminal court judge who:<\/p>\n