What happens at a criminal arraignment in Queen Anne’s County
Reviewed by Mr. Sris, Owner and Founder Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. – Advocacy Without Borders.
Admitted in Virginia, Maryland, District of Columbia, New Jersey, and New York
Practicing since 1997
You were driving on Route 50 near Centreville when a traffic stop turned into handcuffs and a night in the Queen Anne’s County Detention Center. Now you have a court date and you are not sure what comes next. The first proceeding you will face is the arraignment. An arraignment is the formal beginning of a criminal case in Maryland—the hearing where a judge tells you exactly what charges the State has filed against you and you enter a plea. Understanding what happens at a criminal arraignment in Queen Anne’s County can help you walk into the courtroom prepared and with a clear plan. If you have questions about your arraignment or the charges you are facing, reach Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. at (888) 437-7747 to request a consultation.
What to Expect at Your Arraignment in Queen Anne’s County
In Queen Anne’s County, the arraignment process depends on whether you are charged with a misdemeanor or a felony. Misdemeanor cases are handled in the District Court of Maryland for Queen Anne’s County, located at 100 Court House Square, Centreville, Maryland. Felony cases begin in the District Court as well—for an initial appearance and a preliminary hearing—but the trial and any final disposition take place in the Queen Anne’s County Circuit Court, also at 100 Court House Square.
At the arraignment itself, the judge or a District Court commissioner will read the charges aloud and confirm that you understand them. You will be asked to enter a plea: guilty, not guilty, or, with the court’s permission, nolo contendere. The judge will also address the issue of bail—either setting conditions of release, continuing bail that was set at your initial appearance, or modifying the terms. If you do not yet have an attorney, the court will inform you of your right to counsel and may determine whether you qualify for representation by the Office of the Public Defender. The arraignment is a critical juncture; the decisions made here can affect everything from your pretrial freedom to the trajectory of your case. Because of this, many people choose to have an experienced defense lawyer present even at this earliest stage.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a criminal arraignment in Queen Anne’s County?
An arraignment is the court hearing where the charges against you are formally presented and you enter a plea. In Queen Anne’s County, this typically takes place at the District Court of Maryland for Queen Anne’s County (100 Court House Square, Centreville). For a misdemeanor, the arraignment and trial are both in District Court. For a felony, the initial appearance and preliminary hearing are in District Court, but the arraignment on the formal charging document—the indictment—occurs later in the Circuit Court. The purpose is to ensure you know exactly what the prosecution alleges and to record your response to those charges.
Where will my arraignment take place?
Your arraignment will be at 100 Court House Square, Centreville, Maryland, in either the District Court or the Circuit Court depending on the severity of the charges. Misdemeanor arraignments are heard in the District Court of Maryland for Queen Anne’s County. If you are charged with a felony, your first court appearance is also in District Court, but your formal Circuit Court arraignment happens later—still at the same building. It is important to check your paperwork or speak with an attorney to confirm which courtroom to report to. Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. Appears regularly in both courts and can help you prepare for the specific proceeding.
What happens when I appear in court for the arraignment?
The judge will read the charges, ask for your plea, and address whether you will be released or held pending trial. First, the court ensures you understand the charges against you. Then you enter a plea of guilty, not guilty, or, with the court’s consent, nolo contendere. The judge will also review bail: if you were previously held, a bail review hearing occurs within 24 hours, and conditions can be modified at arraignment. Finally, if you do not have a lawyer, the court will explain your right to counsel and may appoint the Public Defender if you are financially eligible. Your response to each step can shape your entire case, so it is wise to have an experienced defense attorney at your side.
Do I need to have a lawyer at the arraignment?
You are not required to have a lawyer present at your arraignment, but having an experienced criminal defense attorney with you is strongly recommended. The arraignment is a formal court proceeding where you will be asked to enter a plea. The plea you enter has legal consequences and can affect your bail status and future defense options. An attorney can explain the implications of each plea, argue for favorable bail conditions, and begin building your defense immediately. Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. represents clients at arraignments in Queen Anne’s County and works to protect your rights from the very first appearance.
What if I cannot afford an attorney?
If you cannot afford a lawyer, you may ask the court to appoint the Office of the Public Defender to represent you. At the arraignment, the judge will ask about your employment and financial circumstances to determine if you qualify. If you are eligible, a public defender will be assigned. If you do not qualify but still need legal representation, you may hire a private attorney. Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. can discuss consultation options. Having a lawyer of your choosing, whether public or private, is a fundamental right, and you should not go through the arraignment without one.
How is bail determined at the arraignment?
Bail is set based on factors such as the seriousness of the charge, your ties to the community, your criminal history, and whether you are considered a flight risk. At an arraignment in Queen Anne’s County, the judge reviews the initial bail set by a District Court commissioner and may adjust it. The court can release you on your own recognizance, set a monetary bail amount, or impose non-monetary conditions like pretrial supervision. If you remain in custody, a bail review hearing must be held within 24 hours of your detention. An attorney can present arguments and evidence to support a lower bail or release on personal recognizance.
What happens if I miss my arraignment?
If you fail to appear for your arraignment, the judge will likely issue a bench warrant for your arrest. A bench warrant authorizes law enforcement to take you into custody and bring you before the court. Missing your court date can also result in forfeiture of any bail that was posted and may lead to additional charges. It is critical that you attend every scheduled hearing. If an emergency prevents you from attending, contact an attorney immediately to discuss the possibility of having the warrant recalled and your case placed back on the calendar.
Can I get the charges dropped at the arraignment?
It is rare for charges to be dropped at the arraignment itself, but it is not impossible. The arraignment is primarily a procedural hearing to inform you of the charges and take your plea. In some cases, if the prosecution has already decided that the evidence is insufficient or there is a legal defect in the charging document, the State may enter a nolle prosequi—a formal decision not to prosecute—at or before the arraignment. More commonly, the arraignment is the starting point for building a defense and negotiating with the prosecutor. An experienced defense attorney can evaluate the charges and work toward a dismissal or alternative disposition as the case progresses.
What are the possible pleas I can enter?
At the arraignment you may plead guilty, not guilty, or, with the court’s permission, nolo contendere (no contest). A not-guilty plea means you are contesting the charges and the case will proceed to trial or pretrial negotiations. A guilty plea means you admit the allegations, and the judge will proceed to sentencing; this is rarely advisable without the guidance of counsel. A nolo contendere plea has the same effect as a guilty plea for sentencing purposes but cannot be used against you as an admission in a related civil case. Before entering any plea, it is essential to have an attorney explain the immediate and long-term consequences.
What is Probation Before Judgment (PBJ) and can it apply at arraignment?
Probation Before Judgment, or PBJ, is a Maryland disposition that allows a judge to place a defendant on probation without entering a formal conviction. PBJ is not typically granted at the arraignment because the case must first go through negotiations or a finding of guilt. However, understanding PBJ early is important. If you successfully complete probation, the charge can be dismissed and, after a statutory waiting period, may be eligible for expungement. PBJ is available for many misdemeanor and some felony offenses in Queen Anne’s County. An attorney can work to position your case for a PBJ resolution where appropriate.
Can my record be expunged after the case is over?
Maryland law allows expungement of criminal records in many circumstances, including cases that end in acquittal, dismissal, nolle prosequi, or PBJ. Expungement means the record is removed from public view. Under the Justice Reinvestment Act, some non-violent convictions can also be expunged after a waiting period. In Queen Anne’s County, the expungement petition is filed in the court where the original case was heard. Eligibility depends on the disposition of your case and the passage of time. Because expungement is a separate legal process, having an attorney guide you through it can help ensure your record is cleared correctly.
How do I contact a criminal defense lawyer in Queen Anne’s County?
You can reach Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. at (888) 437-7747 to request a consultation about your arraignment and criminal defense needs in Queen Anne’s County. The firm’s Rockville location serves clients throughout Maryland, including Queen Anne’s County. Our attorneys regularly appear in the District Court and Circuit Court at 100 Court House Square, Centreville. To discuss the details of your matter and how we may assist you, call (888) 437-7747. A member of our team can explain the arraignment process, help you understand your options, and begin building a well-prepared defense on your behalf.
About Mr. Sris and His Of Counsel Team
Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. was founded in 1997 by Mr. Sris, a former prosecutor. Mr. Sris, Owner and Founder, is admitted in Maryland and four other jurisdictions and brings a prosecutorial perspective to criminal defense. His Of Counsel team includes attorneys with extensive experience in Maryland criminal law, including a former Maryland Assistant State’s Attorney who is intimately familiar with the local court system in Queen Anne’s County. The team works together to handle criminal matters from arraignment through trial and, when appropriate, post-conviction relief such as expungement. Since 1997, Mr. Sris and his Of Counsel have documented 4,739+ case results across all practice areas. Results may vary. The firm maintains a Rockville location at 199 E. Montgomery Avenue, Suite 100, Room 211, Rockville, MD 20850, and serves clients throughout Queen Anne’s County. All consultations are by appointment. Call (888) 437-7747 to schedule.
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