A driving under the influence (DUI) arraignment is your first court appearance after you receive a Uniform Traffic Ticket for driving under the influence of intoxicating substances. This court appearance may come several days or weeks after your DUI arrest, or happen within as little as three days.
If you have been arrested for a DUI offense, you should only discuss your case with an experienced DUI defense attorney. I am Christopher L. Jones, Attorney at Law, and I could guide you through the Greenville DUI arraignment process. Contact Chris Jones Law today to get started.
A DUI Arraignment Is the Formal Beginning of a DUI Trial
The DUI arraignment process in Greenville begins with a judge reading the specific charges the state has filed against you after your arrest for a DUI offense. Such charges might include:
- Operating a motor vehicle when your blood alcohol concentration was above the legal limit
- DUI causing serious injury or death, a severe felony charge that can carry a sentence of extended incarceration
- DUI endangering the life of a child if a minor was in the car at the time
- A repeat DUI charge, which is a serious felony
The process will continue with the judge advising and reminding you of your right to legal representation and asking you to enter a guilty or not guilty plea to the stated charges. Finally, the state will give you or your defense lawyer a copy of the criminal charges and any arrest or incident reports, as well as test results showing the level of intoxicants in your bloodstream at the time of your arrest.
A DUI Arraignment Will Likely Include a Bond Hearing
Bond hearings are a common part of the DUI arraignment process in Greenville. It is harder to obtain a release bond in serious DUI cases that involve injuries or fatalities. In cases that do not involve injuries or fatalities, however, an arraignment and bond judge may allow you to remain free on bond while your case is pending. In addition to a bond amount, the judge will establish conditions that you must follow until your case is heard or resolved.
How Does Citing Out Affect the Timing of the Process?
Your arraignment will occur within three days of your DUI arrest unless you were cited out. Citing out refers to situations in which the officer arresting you for DUI in Greenville gives you a ticket with a set arraignment date rather than transporting you to a police station for your arraignment hearing. Citing out might happen, for example, if your blood or urine test results are not immediately available.
Regardless of whether you have been cited out, you should immediately contact a DUI defense lawyer for assistance responding to the charges against you. An attorney could evaluate the charges and the evidence against you to determine your best available strategy.
Contact a Greenville DUI Defense Attorney for Help With the Arraignment Process
Before establishing my criminal defense practice, I worked as a prosecutor and municipal court judge. Because of this, I know the intimate details of the Greenville DUI arraignment process and understand the procedures that prosecutors follow when they charge motorists with DUI offenses.
At Chris Jones Law, I have used my extensive knowledge to challenge and reduce or eliminate DUI charges for many of my clients. I am committed to helping you retain your license and minimizing the consequences of your DUI arrest. For the help you need, contact Christopher L. Jones, Attorney at Law, today.
