Connecticut criminal defense attorney capitol

Step-by-Step: What Happens at Your Connecticut Arraignment?

An arraignment is the first formal court appearance after a criminal arrest in Connecticut. Here’s what to expect.

1. Arrival and Check-In: Arrive early at the courthouse (for example, GA 14 Hartford at 101 Lafayette Street or your local GA). You’ll pass through security and check in with the clerk or bail commissioner.

2. Call of the Docket: The judge will call cases one by one. When your name is called, step forward with your attorney. The judge will read the charges and ask how you plead—guilty, not guilty, or no contest.

3. Bail and Conditions: The judge will decide whether to set bail or conditions of release. Your lawyer can argue for a bond reduction or promise to appear. Be prepared to answer basic questions but let your attorney do the talking.

4. Next Court Date: After the plea, the judge will schedule your next court date, often called a pretrial conference. This is when negotiations and evidence exchange begin. Your attorney may also file motions before this date.

Even though arraignments are brief, they set the tone for your case. Having a lawyer present can help ensure you enter the right plea, preserve defenses, and secure the most favorable conditions. If you have an arraignment coming up in Hartford, New Haven, or anywhere in Connecticut, contact us for a free consultation. Call 860-530-1781 or start a live chat to discuss your charges and next steps.

Comments (0)

Christopher Llinas

J. Christopher Llinas is a Connecticut criminal defense and immigration attorney with over 25 years of legal experience. He is the founder of Iron Chris Criminal Defense & Immigration, based in Middletown, CT. Chris earned his J.D. from Franklin Pierce Law Center (now the University of New Hampshire School of Law) in 1997 and holds a B.A., magna cum laude, in English from Salisbury University. During law school he served as a teaching assistant for Civil Procedure and Constitutional Law, and competed in moot court and trial advocacy programs. He began his legal career as an Assistant Public Defender, defending clients in felony, misdemeanor, and traffic matters. He later served as an Assistant State's Attorney, prosecuting criminal and traffic cases — giving him a firsthand understanding of how the prosecution builds its case. He has also served as a law clerk, legal aid attorney, and in-house corporate counsel before dedicating his practice to criminal defense and immigration. Chris is admitted to practice in Connecticut, Maryland, the U.S. District Court, and the U.S. Court of Appeals. He is a member of the Connecticut Criminal Defense Lawyers Association, the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (NACDL), the National College of DUI Defense (NCDD), and the American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA). His practice covers DUI and OUI defense, drug charges, weapons charges, violent crimes, juvenile matters, probation violations, federal criminal defense, and immigration removal proceedings throughout Connecticut.