Reader’s Question:

I’m not very familiar how the court process works and the arraignment of my case is within a few days. What happens if I plead guilty for my DUI charge here in Jacksonville, Florida? I’m thinking of doing that so that I can get this over and done with. Could you also tell me what happens if I plead not guilty?

Brendan

Jacksonville, FL

Upon having released from jail after your DUI arrest in Jacksonville, Florida, your next court hearing would be that of the Arraignment. If you hired a DUI lawyer, that would avoid the need for you to attend this hearing because your DUI lawyer would file all necessary paperwork with the court that would otherwise be covered by your attendance. If you attend the Arraignment without a DUI lawyer, the court would inform you of the charges pending and would give you an opportunity to enter a plea. You may decide not to plea your DUI case at Arraignment because doing so prior to receiving the state’s “discovery” or evidence mounted against you, you would be completely unaware of any potential defenses available to you.

If you plead guilty or no contest for your DUI case at arraignment, it would result in a sentence for the DUI charge. There is a very rare chance that you could come back to petition the court to withdraw a plea entered at arraignment. If you enter a plea of not guilty on your DUI charge, your DUI case would be set for a future hearing which allows time for your DUI lawyer to prepare any defenses available. Alternatively, this time could be used to negotiate a reduction of the DUI charges against you with the prosecuting attorney.

Tags: drunk driving laws, DUI, DUI advice, DUI lawyer