When there is suspicion that you have committed a crime, you will be handcuffed and taken to the precinct for processing. At the precinct, they will want to get your information like your Social Security number, date of birth, and other pertinent information. You will be search and any personal property will be removed from you. A voucher that lists your property will be given to you.
Being Processed and Detained
If you are charged with a crime, either on a misdemeanor or felony level, you will be fingerprinted and photographed. The officer will check your record to see if you have any outstanding warrants. Depending on the type of crime, after processing, you will be taken to the Central Booking station to be processed for your arraignment. In most cases, the accused will remain in jail until their arraignment. An arraignment simply means you face the judge.
Miranda Rights
The Miranda Rights should be read to you at the time of your arrest. However, an officer doesn’t have to read these rights unless they intend to question you. You have a right to have an attorney present before you answer anything. If you don’t have the money for an attorney, one of the court-appointed lawyers will be assigned. Remember that anything you say will be used against you. If you are talking on the phone to someone the officer can use that conversation to help process their claim. So be extremely careful when in custody about what you say. If you are questioned, the goal is to gain an admission. Never make a statement without a lawyer present. Officers try to use many tactics to get people to confess or say what they need to for the processing of the charges.
Central Booking
When you are sent to Central Booking, you will see a paramedic and have a small health evaluation. This is done to protect others who are also awaiting arraignment. The goal is to determine if you have any medical conditions or diseases that might spread to others in close proximity. They also need to know if you take any medications. After the medical evaluation comes the long wait for the arraignment. Your case will have a great deal of paperwork completed and then be put on the docket for court. An average weight time is 8-12 hours before you see a lawyer and then you will see the judge. They do feed those in jail three meals and there are pay phones on site for calls.
The Arraignment
Your lawyer will file a “Notice of Appearance” and get all the information regarding your case. The attorney will advise you of what crimes you are being charged with and inform you of any plea offers that the District Attorney has offered. They will advise you of the ins and outs of the deal and tell you the best option. Once advised, it’s time to go to the courtroom to see the judge.
The arraignment is a formal process. It lets you know the charges against you and allows you to plea. You have three options for a plea: guilty, not guilty, and no contest. Once you plea to the crime, bail will be set. The attorney can ask for you to be released on your own recognizance. If there is someone to vouch for you, your attorney can ask for a lower bail amount. These sessions are quick and will be over soon. However, make sure you understand the process and ask your attorney if you have any questions.
Rodney Floyd is a professional bail bondsman with Rodney OKC Bail Bonds in Oklahoma City, OK. Rodney is passionate about sharing information online through his blogs, on facebook, and provides local bail bonds services in OKC to the local community.
