If you have just been arrested in Massachusetts, you are probably very confused, nervous, scared, and wondering what comes next. This is what you need to know if you have just been arrested in Massachusetts.
How Does Bail in Massachusetts Work?
Anyone arrested can post bail at the police station. Bail is normally personal recognizance. Personal recognizance is someone’s promise to appear in court. The court date is usually the next day. Also, the person arrested must pay a nonrefundable fee of $40. This fee pays the bail commissioner or clerk to come to the police station after hours.
In Massachusetts, the bail commissioner or clerk can set a cash bail. Bail is money. Unlike other states, Massachusetts does not have bail bonds. A cash bail costs the amount of the bail. Serious charges may result in a cash bail. Finally, anyone can post bail at the station.
What’s an Arraignment In Massachusetts?
If you get arrested then you must go to an arraignment. An arraignment is a hearing in front of the judge. An arraignment is to formally charge someone with a crime. Bail or conditions of release can be set at the arraignment. Even if you paid $40 at the police station bail may still be set. The District Attorney may request a cash bail in court. Also, the judge may also impose conditions of release. For example, conditions of release include drug-free with testing, no abuse of the victim or stay away from the victim.
More on what happens at an arraignment.
Massachusetts Arraignment Advice
- Arrive at the courthouse early
- Check into the Probation Department as soon as you get to court. If you don’t check in they may not call your case.
- Leave the cellphone at home or in the car- some courts do not allow cell phones in the building.
- Dress as respectable as possible.
- Men-
- Men Should Wear to Court -Slacks, dress shoes, belt button-down shirt tie and jacket.
- Should Never Wear to Court – Shorts, T-Shirt, Sneakers, Flip Flops,
- Women
- Women should wear conservative clothes to court like pants, sweater, minimal jewelry
- Should not wear clothes to the court that show mid-drift, excessive cleavage, lots of jewelry
What Happens After the Arraignment?
A pretrial conference date is selected at the arraignment. A pretrial hearing is not a trial. Also, the pretrial hearing is a chance for your lawyer and the prosecutor to talk about the case, exchange any discovery or evidence and talk about a plea. There may be more than one pretrial conference. Some complex cases require numerous pretrial hearings.
Can I just plead Guilty?
I would strongly advise against that. That is because a guilty is a conviction and even if the prosecutor offers to just impose a fine and a guilty there could be other consequences. For example, if you plead guilty to driving on a suspended license the Registry of Motor Vehicles will automatically suspend your license for an additional 60 days. Then, if you want to just plead guilty you should only do so after talking to an attorney about your case.
The Best Massachusetts Criminal Attorney
Massachusetts Criminal Lawyer Patrick Donovan provides the best criminal defense in Massachusetts. Also, he can fight against felony or misdemeanor criminal charges. Also, Attorney Donovan can fight for you every step of the way.
Attorney Patrick T. Donovan represents people who have been accused of criminal offenses in Boston, Quincy, and throughout the state of Massachusetts. Patrick T. Donovan fights for the best possible outcome for each and every one of our clients.
Call the Law Office of Patrick T. Donovan today for your initial consultation at 617 479-1800
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