Legal Question in Criminal Law in Pennsylvania

Arraignment

My brother had a hearing at the magastrate where charges from and M2 simple assault were lowered to an M1 simple assault mutual consent. He was willing to plea guilty at the magastrate but the magastrate set an arraingment hearing for 3-6-08. Since the charges were lowered to an M1 and he was willing to plea guilty will it be neccassary to have a lawyer the day of arraignment.


Asked on 3/02/08, 12:09 pm

2 Answers from Attorneys
Mark Johns Mark Johns, Esquire

Re: Arraignment

An M1 is more serious than an M2. Your brother needs a lawyer. He may be eligible for the ARD program or a drop to a summary offense. I offer free initial consultations.

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Answered on 3/02/08, 12:33 pm
John Gibson John W. Gibson, Esquire

Re: Arraignment

This may depend on the County. In some counties if he doesn't have an attorney and doesn't qualify for a Public Defender, he may be required to have an attorney present before the Court will set a pre-trial date. In other counties he may be okay going alone especially if he intends to enter a plea to the reduced charges. I think that you meant the charges were reduced from M-2 to M-3, however.

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Answered on 3/02/08, 2:39 pm


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