What Happens at an Arraignment in Pennsylvania?

An arraignment is a court hearing where you are formally told the criminal charges against you and asked to enter a plea. In Pennsylvania, you will typically go through two arraignments: a preliminary arraignment shortly after arrest and a formal arraignment if your case moves forward to trial.

Here is what happens at each stage:

You are brought before a magistrate or judge — typically within 72 hours of your arrest for the preliminary arraignment.
The charges against you are read aloud and you receive a copy of the criminal complaint.
The court informs you of your rights, including your right to an attorney and your right to a preliminary hearing.
Bail is set — the magistrate decides whether to release you on your own recognizance, set a bail amount, or deny bail based on the severity of the charges and your criminal history.
Your preliminary hearing is scheduled, usually within 14 days.
At the formal arraignment (if your case advances), you enter your official plea — guilty, not guilty, or nolo contendere — and deadlines for pretrial motions are established.

If you were recently arrested and have an upcoming arraignment, having an experienced defense attorney by your side can make a significant difference in your bail outcome and overall case strategy.

What is An Arraignment?

An arraignment is a court proceeding that occurs after a defendant has been arrested and charged, during which the defendant is formally informed of the charges and asked to enter a plea.

In some jurisdictions, the defendant is required to enter a plea during their arraignment, while in others, a plea may not be necessary at that stage. Common pleas, which vary by jurisdiction, typically include guilty, not guilty, and other possible options.

In Pennsylvania, if you have retained a defense attorney, you may be able to waive your right to an arraignment and not have to appear.

The Preliminary Arraignment

An arraignment is a brief hearing in court held before a magistrate in Pennsylvania. This is the first time you will attend court after an arrest. You must attend a preliminary arraignment when you are arrested without a warrant or based on a warrant. You may be lawfully arrested without a warrant if the police have reasonable suspicion of your involvement in a crime, such as if you were pulled over for a DUI or involved in a public fight. You can also be taken into custody if an arrest warrant was issued based on evidence you were involved with a previously committed crime.

In Pennsylvania, criminal suspects are brought to the District Court within 72 hours of their arrest. The first appearance in court is the preliminary arraignment. In general, you will be arrested, booked into jail, and then must wait to be released from jail until after your arraignment.

It is also nothing like a trial. Your innocence or guilt is not at issue yet. However, you should still have a defense lawyer there to protect your rights. If you have been arrested, you should contact a Pittsburgh criminal defense attorney at Worgul, Sarna & Ness, Criminal Defense Attorneys, LLC or have your family call as soon as possible.

What You Can Expect at a Preliminary Arraignment

At your arraignment, you will appear before a magistrate. You will be told the criminal charges against you and provided a copy of the complaint outlining these charges. If you were arrested based on a warrant, you will also be given a copy of this warrant and any supporting affidavits. The court will then advise you of your rights, including your right to a Pittsburgh criminal defense attorney, a preliminary hearing, and to be released on a bail bond.

You will learn at this arraignment whether you will be released on your own recognizance or detained by the police and whether you can be released on a bail bond. Your release depends on several factors, including the offense with which you are currently charged, your criminal history, your employment and financial status, and your ties to the community. The magistrate has some discretion in allowing your release on your own recognizance or on bail. The magistrate can also determine whether you can be released on unsecured bail, which does not require paying any money upfront. If you are charged with a felony or violent offense, you will likely be required to pay bail to be released or bail may be denied.

Lastly, your preliminary hearing will be scheduled for within the next 14 days. If you do not have an attorney at your preliminary arraignment, then you should ensure you have one by the date of your preliminary hearing. This hearing is very important as the district attorney will present evidence against you to a magistrate who must decide whether there is sufficient evidence that you committed the offense to let it move forward to trial. This is not the same as a trial, however, this is your first opportunity to argue your innocence, attack the evidence against you, and have the charges reduced or dropped. With the help of an experienced Pittsburgh criminal defense attorney, you may be able to put an end to this difficult time.

The Formal Arraignment

If the magistrate determines there is enough evidence to send your case to trial during the preliminary hearing, then a formal arraignment in the Court of Common Pleas will be scheduled. At this formal arraignment, your criminal case will be transferred from the local district court to the trial court. Once again you will be informed of the charges against you and your right to have a Pittsburgh criminal defense attorney.

You will also be told your right to file motions in regard to the proceedings and that if you fail to show up at any future court dates, the proceedings can move forward without you. The information regarding pretrial motions is important because there are deadlines for certain pleadings. Some motions must be filed within 30 days of your arraignment — something you should speak with your attorney about. If you do not file these motions within the deadline, you lose your right to do so.

At your formal arraignment, you will be asked how you plead: guilty or not guilty. You should consult with a Pittsburgh arraignment attorney to determine how you should plead at the formal arraignment. A plea of not guilty will likely give you and your attorney time to build a strong defense.

Arraignment in Allegheny County Court of Common Pleas

If you are facing criminal charges in Pittsburgh or the surrounding area, your formal arraignment will take place at the Allegheny County Courthouse, located at 436 Grant Street in downtown Pittsburgh. Allegheny County processes thousands of criminal cases each year, and understanding how the local court handles arraignments can help you prepare.

In Allegheny County, preliminary arraignments for most arrests are handled by the Pittsburgh Municipal Court magistrates, who operate around the clock. After a preliminary hearing determines there is sufficient evidence to proceed, your case is bound over to the Allegheny County Court of Common Pleas for formal arraignment. At this stage, you will enter your plea and receive a schedule for pretrial proceedings, including deadlines for filing suppression motions and other pretrial motions.

Having an experienced local defense attorney who knows the Allegheny County court system, the judges, and the district attorney’s office can give you an advantage at every stage. At Worgul, Sarna & Ness, our attorneys have represented clients in the Allegheny County courts for over 20 years. Call 412-281-2146 for a free consultation.

Frequently Asked Questions About Arraignment in Pennsylvania

How long does an arraignment take?

A preliminary arraignment in Pennsylvania is typically a brief proceeding lasting 15 to 30 minutes. The magistrate reads the charges, sets bail, and schedules the preliminary hearing. A formal arraignment at the Court of Common Pleas may also be relatively short, though wait times at the courthouse can make the overall experience longer. If you have an attorney present, the process generally moves more smoothly.

Do I need a lawyer at my arraignment?

While you are not legally required to have an attorney at your preliminary arraignment, it is strongly recommended. A defense lawyer can argue for lower bail or release on your own recognizance, identify issues with the charges early, and begin building your defense strategy from day one. At Worgul, Sarna & Ness, we routinely appear at arraignments on behalf of clients across Allegheny County.

Can I plead not guilty at my arraignment in Pennsylvania?

At a formal arraignment, yes — you will be asked to enter a plea. Most defense attorneys recommend entering a not guilty plea at this stage, which preserves all of your rights and gives your attorney time to review evidence, negotiate with prosecutors, and file pretrial motions. You can always change your plea later through a plea agreement if the circumstances warrant it.

What happens if I miss my arraignment in PA?

If you fail to appear at a scheduled arraignment, the judge will likely issue a bench warrant for your arrest. This can result in additional charges, higher bail, and the court proceeding without you. If you have a legitimate reason for missing your arraignment, contact a criminal defense attorney immediately to address the situation before the warrant is executed.

Can charges be dropped at an arraignment?

Charges are rarely dropped at the arraignment stage itself. However, an experienced attorney can identify weaknesses in the prosecution’s case early and may be able to get charges reduced or dismissed at the preliminary hearing, which is typically scheduled within 14 days of the arraignment. The arraignment is primarily a procedural step, not an evidentiary hearing.

Contact an Experienced Pennsylvania Criminal Defense Attorney Near You

Arraignment Process in Pennsylvania

If you have been arrested for a Pennsylvania crime and are going through the arraignment process, contact an experienced Pittsburgh criminal defense lawyer near you at (412) 281-2146 for a free consultation so we can help you get your life back on track.

Going before a magistrate or judge for the first time can be frightening, especially when you are not sure of what happens or what you are supposed to do. At Worgul, Sarna & Ness, Criminal Defense Attorneys, LLC, we will make sure you are prepared for every step of the criminal court process, from the preliminary arraignment to trial. We will fight for your rights and freedom every step of the way.

Arraignment Process in Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania Arraignment Hearing

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