What happens at Juvenile Arraignment?
At the Arraignment, the Judge formally advises the juvenile of the charges that have been filed by the State. If the juvenile has hired private counsel, he/she need not attend the arraignment. If the child is unrepresented, it is recommended that he/she enter a plea of not guilty and consult with an attorney regarding the case and the ramifications of entering a plea to the offense. Many people misunderstand juvenile matters and falsely believe that a juvenile case is inaccessible during background checks or criminal records searches. Please note that this is absolutely false. Consult with one of our attorneys for more information.