Legal Question in Criminal Law in Massachusetts

Court Procedure

I was arrested for shoplifting over the weekend and I have to appear at the courthouse tomorrow. As my first appearance at the courthouse, what will the procedure be like tomorrow? I understand that I will be told what I am charged with and I will have to figure out whether I can afford my own lawyer or I will need to be assigned one along with arranging my next court date. But is there anything else I should expect? Will I have to plea guilty or not guilty tomorrow? Do I have to defend myself tomorrow or tell my story tomorrow, or will that be for my actual court date arranged for a later time?


Asked on 3/20/06, 10:12 pm

1 Answer from Attorneys
Martha Kovner Law Offices of Martha J. Kovner

Re: Court Procedure

Your first date in court is for an arraignment. You will have to go to probation to be interviewed so that your board of probation record can be updated and a decision can be made as whether you are eligible for court appointed attorney or whether you will hire your own. You will then go into arraignment session courtroom where they will call your name and enter a plea of not guilty for you on the charge. Depending upon your past (if any) criminal record, there is always the chance that the Assistant District Attorney can ask for bail on your case. Bail is an amount money that one has to post in order to ensure their appearance at every future court date. You will not have to speak to the offense and I would recommend that you not speak about it to anyone except for an attorney that you either hire or that is appointed by the Court. The case will then be continued to a pre-trial hearing date. Hope that this helps. Please feel free to contact me further. Martha Kovner

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Answered on 3/20/06, 11:18 pm


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