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What happens at an arraignment in Manhattan Criminal Court
From the holding cell to the bail decision: a step-by-step guide to the first appearance and how counsel shapes it.
Marcus Hale
Partner · Criminal Defense
Published
Reading time
6 min read
100 Centre Street, where most Manhattan arraignments happen within 24 hours of arrest.
An arraignment is the first time you stand before a judge after an arrest. It is short, but the decisions made there shape the rest of the case.
Before you see the judge
You will usually meet your lawyer in the holding area. Say nothing about the case to anyone else.
The charges and the plea
The judge reads the charges and you enter a plea, almost always not guilty at this stage.
Bail and release
Counsel argues for release. Strong ties to work and family matter more than anything else.
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New York
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Written by
Marcus Hale
The first call after an arrest shapes everything that follows. Make it to someone who has tried the case before.
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marcus.hale@gravislaw.com
Legal disclaimer
This article is for general information and is not legal advice. Reading it does not create an attorney–client relationship. Lease terms and market practice change, so speak with a lawyer about your own circumstances before you sign. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.
Marcus Hale
Partner · Criminal Defense
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