Can a judge dismiss a case at arraignment?
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Can a judge dismiss a case at arraignment?
It is possible for the judge to dismiss your case during an arraignment if he or she sees you’re the officers and the prosecution have a shaky foundation on which to charge you. Your attorney could ask the judge to drop the charges against you by filing a motion prior to your arraignment.
Should I plead not guilty at arraignment?
You should definitely plead NOT GUILTY to your criminal or traffic charge! The first court hearing is called an arraignment. If you were to plead “guilty,” the Judge would set your sentence on each of your charges to whatever he or she wants within the minimum and maximum sentence allowed by law.
Why you should always plead not guilty?
It’s a good idea to always plead not guilty at arraignment because it simply provides you and your lawyer time to review the facts, the evidence and begin working to discredit the charges against you. If you plead guilty, you’re admitting to the crime. It’s not a question of whether you committed the crime.
Why does pleading guilty reduce your sentence?
In exchange for pleading guilty, the criminal defendant may receive a lighter sentence or have charges reduced. Additionally, pleading guilty avoids the uncertainty of a trial. Juries can be unpredictable. Prosecutors may uncover additional evidence that can make it more likely for a jury to convict the defendant.
