What Happens at an Arraignment in a California Criminal Case?

In California, the arraignment process varies depending on whether the case is a misdemeanor or a felony. For misdemeanor cases, the defendant is not required to be present at the arraignment. Instead, the attorney represents the defendant and enters a plea of not guilty on their behalf. During this process, the attorney also obtains all available discovery materials, which typically include police reports and a copy of the complaint. After addressing these matters, the attorney selects a new court date for the case. In contrast, felony arraignments are more complex, particularly regarding bail considerations. If the defendant is in custody, the attorney attends the arraignment with the client and again enters a plea of not guilty. At this stage, the issue of bail is discussed. The attorney has the opportunity to argue for a reduction in bail or to request that no bail be set at all. Depending on the arguments presented, the defendant may be released, or the bail amount may be adjusted. Regardless of the case type, the common element at an arraignment is the entry of a not guilty plea and the scheduling of the next court date.