If you are arrested for driving while intoxicated or DWI, then you need to consult with a DWI law attorney in Pocatello, ID right away. You cannot procrastinate in this case as time is of the essence if you are charged with this type of offense. That is because, shortly after your arrest, you are required to appear before a judge for arraignment.
What Is an Arraignment?
A DWI law attorney can help you with this legal proceeding. An arraignment is a court appearance where a defendant is formally charged with a crime and requested to plead guilty or not guilty. Therefore, it is helpful to know what will happen exactly at the arraignment, what your options are, and how plea bargaining works.
You can find out more about who to contact and what to do if you visit Browning Law or similar sites online. During an arraignment, most defendants who have not already posted bail and are charged with a misdemeanor, are released on their own recognizance. While it is helpful to have legal representation, it is not necessary to have a DWI law attorney at your side during the arraignment process.
Entering a Plea
That is because you are only entering a plea. You should plead “not guilty” to the charge, because you can always change the plea to “nolo contendere” or “no contest” at a later date. If you have already been charged with DWI, then you should deny the convictions so you and your lawyer can challenge their validity at a later date.
After consulting your attorney, you can simply plead guilty, try to plea bargain the offense to a lesser charge, such as reckless driving, ask for a trial before a judge, or demand a jury trial. You can obtain further information about the arraignment process when you contact an attorney. Make sure you know the best options for you by arranging a consultation.