A first appearance decides three things, and guilt is not one of them.
A first appearance is a short hearing, usually within seventy-two hours of arrest. The judge tells you what you have been charged with, asks whether you have a lawyer, and sets the conditions of your release. You are not asked to enter a plea and nothing is decided about guilt.
The whole road, in order
5 steps · typical span one hearing, a few minutes- When it happenswithin 72 hours
Within seventy-two hours of arrest if you are in custody, or on the date printed on your citation if you were released.
- That you understand the chargeat the hearing
The charge is read aloud. If you do not understand it, say so — the judge will explain it again.
- Whether a lawyer will be appointedat the hearing
If you cannot afford one, you fill out an affidavit of indigency and a public defender or appointed counsel is assigned.
- The conditions of your releaseat the hearing
A written promise, an unsecured bond, a secured bond, or custody release, with conditions such as no contact with a named person.
- Before you leaveimmediately after
Collect the paper showing your next court date. If you lose it, the clerk in the county where the case is pending can tell you the date.
Produces a one-sheet checklist with your county courthouse address filled in. Choose your county to fill this in automatically.
Email it once. We do not keep it.