If you’re arrested and brought from the police lockup to court, chances are you won’t have a lawyer with you in court. If you aren’t arrested, but get notice that you’re charged with a crime and told to report to court on a certain day, you will be able to consult with an attorney before the court date.  You don’t have to have a lawyer with you.

That first day in court is your arraignment. This is when the court officially reads the charges to you.  Since, in our country, you are presumed to be not guilty, a “not guilty” plea will be entered for you.  Even if you know that you did what they say you did, even if you want to take responsibility for what you did, even if you want to get it all over with, DON’T PLEAD GUILTY AT YOUR ARRAIGNMENT.

In some cases, the prosecutor asks the judge to set bail.  In this case, you should have a lawyer; in fact, if you don’t have your own attorney with you, the court may appoint a lawyer to represent you for the bail hearing.