What happens at a criminal arraignment in Kings County

Your strategy options at a Kings County arraignment

An arraignment is your first formal court appearance after an arrest in Kings County. At the arraignment, the judge reads the charges filed against you, asks you to enter a plea, and makes decisions about bail. This is not a trial—it is a procedural hearing—but the choices you make at this step can affect the entire case. You have several important moves to consider: you can hire a lawyer before the arraignment to advocate for your release and to argue for a favorable bail determination; you can plead not guilty and request a future court date; you can, in some cases, resolve the matter immediately through a negotiated plea; or you can ask the court to adjourn the proceeding to give you time to retain counsel. In Kings County, arraignments are held at the NYC Criminal Court—Brooklyn, located at 360 Adams Street, within the 2nd Judicial District. Mr. Sris and his Of Counsel appear in this courthouse regularly and understand its procedures.

New York’s 2020 bail reform eliminated cash bail for most misdemeanor and non‑violent felony charges, which means that if you are charged with a qualifying offense, the judge will typically release you on your own recognizance without requiring any payment. For violent felonies and certain other charges, bail may still be set. A lawyer can argue for the least restrictive conditions possible, such as supervised release or release with a travel restriction, rather than a cash bond. Many first‑offense cases in Kings County are eligible for an Adjournment in Contemplation of Dismissal (ACD), which means the charges are adjourned for six to twelve months and then automatically dismissed if you stay out of trouble. An experienced attorney can identify whether your case qualifies for an ACD and can present that request to the judge at arraignment.

What to expect at a Kings County Criminal Court arraignment

When you arrive at 360 Adams Street in downtown Brooklyn, you will check in with court staff. You will usually wait in the courtroom gallery until your case is called. When your name is read, you approach the bench with your attorney, if you have one. The judge will inform you of the charges pending against you—this is the formal reading of the complaint. You will then be asked how you plead. In most circumstances, your attorney will advise you to plead not guilty at this stage, which preserves all of your rights and gives you time to review the evidence and negotiate with the prosecutor.

After the plea, the judge addresses the issue of release conditions. In Kings County, the assigned prosecutor will often recommend bail or request remand if the charge is a violent felony. Your attorney has an opportunity to counter that request with information about your ties to the community, your employment, your family, and any lack of prior criminal history. The judge then decides whether you will be released on your own recognizance, released under supervision, released on bail, or held in custody. The judge also sets the next court date—usually a few weeks out for a misdemeanor, or a longer interval for a felony that will need to be presented to a grand jury. The entire arraignment typically takes only a few minutes, but its outcome can shape everything that follows.

A qualitative look at New York criminal penalties

If you are convicted of the charges that bring you to arraignment in Kings County, the consequences depend on the classification of the offense. New York criminal law grades offenses from violations, which are not crimes and carry no jail time, up to Class A‑I felonies, which carry a sentence of life imprisonment. A Class A misdemeanor, such as petit larceny, can result in up to a year in jail; a Class E felony, such as grand larceny in the fourth degree, can result in a state prison term of up to four years; higher‑level felonies carry increasingly lengthy sentences. Beyond incarceration, a criminal conviction can affect your immigration status, your employment, your professional license, and your housing. These long‑term consequences make it essential to have counsel at the earliest possible stage of the case, including at the arraignment.

Because every criminal matter is unique, no specific penalty can be predicted without a full review of the charges and your background. Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. works to achieve favorable outcomes for each client, whether that means securing a dismissal, reducing the charges, or negotiating a disposition that avoids a permanent criminal record. Our experience in Kings County courts allows us to evaluate what dispositions are realistic and to present your case effectively.

About Mr. Sris and his Of Counsel team

Mr. Sris, Owner and Founder of Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C., is a former prosecutor who understands criminal procedure from both sides of the courtroom. Since founding the firm in 1997, he has built a team of experienced Of Counsel attorneys who handle criminal defense matters in New York and across Virginia, Maryland, the District of Columbia, and New Jersey. Mr. Sris testified before the Virginia House Courts of Justice Committee in support of 2019 HB 635 (chief patron Del. David Bulova), a bill that became the 2019 revision to Va. Code § 20‑107.3(g). His firm appears regularly in Kings County Criminal Court and the Kings County Supreme Court Criminal Term. Mr. Sris and his Of Counsel bring extensive combined legal experience to every arraignment and every criminal defense case.

Frequently asked questions about arraignments in Kings County

What exactly is an arraignment?

An arraignment is the first court hearing after an arrest where a judge formally tells you what charges have been filed and asks you to enter a plea. In Kings County, this hearing occurs at the NYC Criminal Court at 360 Adams Street, Brooklyn, NY 11201. It is not a trial; the judge does not hear evidence or decide guilt. The primary purposes are to inform you of the charges, set conditions for your release before trial, and schedule the next court date. If you have not yet retained a lawyer, the judge may give you time to do so. For many people, the arraignment is a brief but critical moment in the criminal justice process.

Do I need a lawyer for my arraignment?

You are not legally required to have a lawyer, but having one at the arraignment can significantly affect the conditions of your release and the direction of your case. An attorney can argue for your release on your own recognizance, ask for an Adjournment in Contemplation of Dismissal if your case qualifies, and begin negotiations with the prosecutor immediately. Without counsel, you risk agreeing to conditions or making a plea choice that you do not fully understand. Even if you cannot afford a private attorney, you have a right to request a public defender at your arraignment in Kings County.

Will I be held in jail after my arraignment?

In most cases involving misdemeanors and non‑violent felonies, New York’s 2020 bail reform law requires the judge to release you without cash bail. You will likely be released on your own recognizance or under supervised release, meaning you do not have to pay money to go home. For certain serious felonies and domestic violence charges, a judge may set bail or remand you to custody. A knowledgeable defense lawyer can present arguments and evidence—such as your community ties, employment, and lack of prior offenses—to persuade the judge to release you under the least restrictive conditions possible.

What happens if I miss my arraignment date?

Missing an arraignment can result in a bench warrant being issued for your arrest. The court may also revoke any previous release conditions. If you realize you have missed the date, contact an attorney immediately. In some cases, your lawyer can appear on your behalf to ask the court to recall the warrant and reschedule the hearing. Kings County courts take failure‑to‑appear seriously, and every day the warrant is active increases the risk of rearrest and additional charges.

Can I get my case dismissed at the arraignment?

It is possible, though not common, for a case to be dismissed at arraignment if there is a legal defect in the charges. More realistically, an attorney can identify opportunities for an early resolution. For example, many first‑offense drug possession or disorderly conduct matters are eligible for an Adjournment in Contemplation of Dismissal (ACD), which the judge may grant at arraignment with the prosecutor’s consent. Once the ACD period is successfully completed, the case is dismissed without a conviction. A lawyer who knows Kings County court practices can evaluate whether your case qualifies and make the application promptly.

How long does the arraignment process take?

Most arraignments last only a few minutes, but you may spend several hours in the courthouse waiting for your case to be called. The Kings County Criminal Court processes a high volume of cases daily, so expect to be patient. After your case is heard, if you are released, you will receive a document with your next court date and any release conditions. If bail is set and you cannot post it, you will be transported back to the Department of Correction. Having an attorney present can often speed up the process because your lawyer knows the courtroom procedures and can coordinate with court personnel.

Should I plead guilty at the arraignment?

Generally, you should not plead guilty at an arraignment without first consulting an attorney and reviewing the discovery. Pleading guilty waives your right to a trial, to challenge the evidence, and to negotiate a more favorable resolution. In Kings County, a guilty plea at arraignment is sometimes offered as part of a reduced‑charge disposition, but you must understand the full consequences—including any immigration effects, driver’s license impacts, and long‑term record implications—before accepting such an offer. A lawyer can advise you whether it is in your interest to plead guilty or to fight the charges.

What is the next court date after arraignment?

After the arraignment, the judge will schedule a future court date, usually within a few weeks for a misdemeanor or several months for a felony. This next appearance may be a hearing, a conference between your lawyer and the prosecutor, or the beginning of a trial schedule. Your attorney will use the time between dates to obtain the complaint, review police reports and any video or forensic evidence, and discuss resolution options with the district attorney. The specific timeline varies based on the complexity of the charges, the court’s calendar, and the needs of the defense investigation.

Can I represent myself at arraignment?

You have the right to represent yourself, but doing so without legal training puts you at a significant disadvantage. The judge may advise you of your rights, but the court cannot give you legal advice or strategy tips. You may unintentionally waive important rights, make statements that can be used against you, or agree to release conditions that are more restrictive than necessary. The prosecutors in Kings County are experienced, and they will use the arraignment to their advantage. Having an attorney at your side helps ensure your rights are protected from the very start of the case.

How do I find a criminal defense lawyer in Kings County?

Start by looking for an attorney who regularly practices in Kings County Criminal Court and understands local procedures and personalities. Ask about their experience with your specific charges, their track record in Brooklyn courts, and whether they offer a consultation before the arraignment. Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. represents clients at arraignments in Kings County and throughout New York. You can reach our New York location at (888) 437‑7747 to discuss your situation and schedule a consultation with Mr. Sris or a member of his Of Counsel team. Our phones are answered 24 hours a day, every day of the year.

For a full statutory breakdown of New York arraignment procedures, visit our comprehensive analysis on srislawyer.com.

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