Being charged with the commission of a felony offense is a frightening experience. The fear of the ultimate outcome as well as the fear of the unknown can be debilitating. Therefore, it is very important for you to have a basic understanding of the procedure that will be used in the prosecution of your case.
After a felony charge is filed, there will first be an arraignment where four things usually happen:
- The charge will be read to you,
- The Court will make certain that you have an attorney or are getting one,
- The Court will consider setting a bond by which you can secure your freedom pending trial, and
- The Court will set a date for a preliminary hearing.
- That a felony probably occurred, and
- That you probably committed it.
Upon arraignment in Circuit Court, the following five things will usually happen:
- The charge will be read to you,
- You will enter a plea of not guilty,
- The Court will make certain that you have an attorney or are getting one,
- The Court will consider setting a bond by which you can secure your freedom pending trial, and
- The Court will set a date for trial.
If charged with a felony offense, immediately contact an attorney that practices in the area of criminal defense.
*****************************Mr. Parker is the former prosecuting attorney of Dent County, Missouri and currently serves as Vice-Chair of the Criminal Law Committee in the Missouri House of Representatives. He is a member of the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, Missouri Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers and the Missouri Association of Trial Attorneys.