Legal Question in Criminal Law in North Carolina

Re: plea

Arraignment is the first time the actual charges are formally told to the defendant. You can plead to the charge at that time if you want. If the charge is not that serious and your prior record is not that bad, the State may give a reasonable offer at arraignment. Sometimes, at least in Northeast Fla., the State gives good offers early in the case before we all do a bunch of work on a case.

The normal procedures for cases up here is after arraignment (upon a plea of not guilty) is for the court to pass the case for pre-trial. Each judge is different as to how long the case is passed for the next pre-trial. We pass them to conduct discovery, file motions, etc. Eventually, a trial date is set by the court. 'Hope this helps. Tom Rosenblum