What happens at a criminal arraignment in Howard County
An arraignment is a formal court hearing where a person charged with a crime is told what they are accused of and is asked to enter a plea. In Howard County, Maryland, arraignments take place in the District Court of Maryland for Howard County (for misdemeanors and initial appearances for felonies) or in the Howard County Circuit Court (for felonies after a grand jury indictment). The arraignment is one of the earliest stages of a criminal case and is required by Maryland law. It is not a trial. Understanding what happens at this hearing can help you feel better prepared. For specific guidance about your upcoming arraignment, reach Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. at (888) 437-7747 to request a consultation. Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. – Advocacy Without Borders.
Understanding the Arraignment Process in Maryland
In Maryland, the arraignment serves several important purposes. It protects your constitutional rights. The court must tell you exactly what you are charged with, make sure you understand your right to a lawyer, and decide the conditions of your release while your case is pending. For misdemeanors, the arraignment is usually held in the District Court; for felony cases, the arraignment occurs in the Circuit Court after an indictment or a preliminary hearing. In Howard County, the District Court handles misdemeanor trials and initial felony appearances. The Circuit Court handles felony jury trials.
The judge will review the charging document—often called an indictment or a criminal information—and ask you to enter a plea. The three standard pleas in Maryland are guilty, not guilty, and, in limited situations, nolo contendere (no contest). Most defendants enter a plea of not guilty at the arraignment, which preserves the right to challenge the evidence and, if appropriate, negotiate a resolution later. The court also considers bail or other conditions of pretrial release at the arraignment or at a separate bail review hearing.
District Court of MD for Howard County is currently presided over by Hon. Wayne A. Brooks (Admin Judge). Court hours: Mon-Fri 8:30AM-4:30PM. Counsel appearing on criminal matters should plan filings accordingly.
The Arraignment Procedure in Howard County Courts
On the day of your arraignment, you will check in with the clerk’s office at the courthouse—3451 Courthouse Drive, Ellicott City, Maryland 21043 for District Court matters, or the Circuit Court address in Ellicott City. When your case is called, you will stand before the judge. The judge will read the charges aloud or confirm that you have received a copy of the charging document. You have the right to remain silent and the right to be represented by an attorney. If you do not have a lawyer, the judge will ask whether you intend to hire one or, if you cannot afford one, whether you want to apply for the services of a public defender.
The judge will then address bail. Maryland law permits pretrial release on personal recognizance, a secured or unsecured bond, or with conditions such as drug testing or electronic monitoring. The court can set bail at the arraignment itself or schedule a separate bail review hearing. If you were already given a bail amount by a District Court commissioner after your arrest, the arraignment judge may review that decision and adjust it.
After bail matters are resolved, the judge asks you to enter a plea. The State’s Attorney for Howard County is typically present at felony arraignments and may be present in some misdemeanor cases. If you plead not guilty, the judge will schedule a trial date. For misdemeanors in District Court, the trial is typically set within a timeline determined by the court’s calendar. For felony charges in Circuit Court, the case will be placed on the docket for a motions hearing or trial, subject to the Hicks date, which requires a felony jury trial to begin within 180 days of your first appearance. The entire arraignment usually lasts only a few minutes.
What to Expect at Your Arraignment in Howard County
You should arrive early, bring a form of identification, and dress in a manner suitable for court. Do not discuss the facts of your case with anyone other than your lawyer. If you have not yet hired an attorney, you may ask the judge for a short postponement so that you can obtain counsel. It is almost never advisable to represent yourself. Even at the arraignment stage, an experienced defense attorney can help you understand the charges, argue for a lower bail, and make sure your rights are protected.
Listening carefully, answering the judge’s questions politely, and following instructions from the court staff are all important. The arraignment is not the time to argue the facts of your case or to give a detailed version of events. If you have a lawyer, that person will speak on your behalf. If you are appearing without counsel and the judge asks you about your finances, answer truthfully so the court can determine your eligibility for a public defender.
Frequently Asked Questions
What exactly happens at a criminal arraignment in Howard County?
At an arraignment, the court formally notifies you of the charges against you, advises you of your rights, considers bail, and asks you to enter a plea. In Howard County, whether the hearing is in the District Court or the Circuit Court, the judge will read the charges, confirm that you understand your right to an attorney, set or review bail, and take your plea. The State’s Attorney may be present. If you plead not guilty, the court schedules a trial date. The hearing is procedural and typically brief.
What is Probation Before Judgment (PBJ) and can it be raised at arraignment?
Probation Before Judgment is a Maryland disposition that allows a judge to place a defendant on probation instead of entering a conviction; it is not a plea that can be entered at arraignment. PBJ is a potential outcome later in the case—either through negotiation with the State’s Attorney or at sentencing. It is available for many misdemeanors and some felonies. After successful probation, the case can be expunged. Your attorney can discuss whether your case may be eligible for PBJ during the pretrial stage.
Do I need a lawyer for a misdemeanor arraignment in Howard County?
You are not legally required to have a lawyer at your arraignment, but having one can significantly affect the outcome of the hearing and your entire case. Even in misdemeanor cases, an attorney can argue for a lower bail, preserve your rights, and begin building a defense strategy. The judge will inform you of your right to counsel, and if you cannot afford a lawyer, you may apply for a public defender. However, having a private attorney from the start can give you more control over the process.
What happens after a criminal arrest in Howard County?
After an arrest, you will be taken before a District Court commissioner who makes an initial bail decision; within 24 hours, a bail review hearing may be held, and then your case proceeds to an arraignment. The commissioner sets bail or release conditions based on the charges. Your arraignment follows, usually within a few weeks for misdemeanors. For felonies, a preliminary hearing may occur before the case moves to Circuit Court. Throughout this process, you have the right to be represented by counsel.
Can I get my criminal record expunged in Howard County?
Yes, Maryland permits expungement for many case outcomes, including acquittals, dismissals, nolle prosequi, stet, and PBJ (after a waiting period). The court where your case was heard—District Court or Circuit Court—handles the expungement petition. Under the Justice Reinvestment Act, certain non-violent convictions may also be eligible. An attorney can help you determine whether you qualify and guide you through the petition process in Howard County.
What plea should I enter at my arraignment?
In nearly every case, the safest plea to enter at an arraignment is “not guilty.” Pleading not guilty preserves your right to challenge the evidence, file motions, and negotiate a more favorable resolution later. You are not admitting anything, and you can always change your plea later if a plea agreement is reached. Pleading guilty at the arraignment waives your right to a trial and may result in immediate sentencing without the benefit of counsel’s full preparation.
Can the judge dismiss my case at the arraignment?
It is uncommon for a case to be dismissed at arraignment, but it can happen if there is a defect in the charging document or a clear legal reason requires it. The judge will not consider factual defenses at this stage. If the State’s Attorney agrees to dismiss the charges—for example, by entering a nolle prosequi—that can occur at any stage. Your attorney can evaluate whether there are grounds to move for dismissal early in the case.
What is a bail review hearing, and how is it different from arraignment?
A bail review hearing focuses on the conditions of your pretrial release; the arraignment is the hearing where you enter a plea and the case is scheduled. In Howard County, if you are held after the commissioner’s initial bail determination, you are entitled to a bail review hearing within 24 hours. The arraignment may also address bail, but the court may schedule a separate hearing if more time is needed to consider arguments about your flight risk or danger to the community.
Can I change my plea after the arraignment?
Yes, you can change your plea at any time with the court’s permission. If you initially plead not guilty and later negotiate a plea agreement with the State’s Attorney, you can change your plea to guilty at a subsequent hearing. The court will question you to ensure the change is knowing and voluntary. This flexibility is one reason why it is standard practice to begin with a not-guilty plea.
What should I wear to my arraignment in Howard County?
Dress in clean, conservative clothing that shows respect for the court; a suit or business-casual attire is appropriate, but if you do not own such clothes, wear the neatest outfit you have. Avoid shorts, tank tops, sagging pants, or clothing with offensive words or images. The way you present yourself can influence how the judge perceives you, especially when bail is being considered. Arriving well-groomed and on time conveys responsibility.
How long after arrest does the arraignment happen?
The length of time between arrest and arraignment depends on whether the charge is a misdemeanor or a felony and on the court’s schedule. In Howard County, a misdemeanor arraignment in District Court often occurs within a few weeks of the arrest. For felonies, the case must proceed through a preliminary hearing or grand jury indictment before the Circuit Court arraignment, which can take longer. An attorney can give you a better estimate based on the specific charges and the court’s current docket.
How Mr. Sris and His Of Counsel Handle Criminal Matters in Howard County
Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. represents individuals facing criminal charges in Howard County and throughout Maryland. Mr. Sris, a former prosecutor, founded the firm in 1997. Drawing on his experience inside the courtroom and the knowledge of his Of Counsel—which includes a former Maryland Assistant State’s Attorney—the firm approaches each case with a thorough understanding of how the prosecution builds its case. An attorney from the firm can appear with you at your arraignment, argue for reasonable bail, and begin developing a defense tailored to the specific facts of your situation.
Meeting with an attorney before your arraignment can change the course of your case. Mr. Sris and his Of Counsel can review the charging documents, explain what to expect, and help you decide the trusted path forward. From the firm’s Rockville location, they serve clients in Ellicott City, Columbia, Elkridge, and throughout Howard County. To discuss your arraignment and your defense options, reach Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. at (888) 437-7747 and request a consultation.
Related Practice Areas: Criminal Defense in Montgomery County ? Criminal Defense in Prince George’s County ? Criminal Defense in Anne Arundel County ? Criminal Defense in Frederick County ? Criminal Defense in Baltimore County
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