What happens at Pretrial Conference/Arraignments, and how long does the hearing last?

If you are scheduled for a misdemeanor pretrial conference/arraignment, the court session may last as long as three hours since there are usually thirty persons scheduled for each session. Your rights will be explained, the charge(s) against you will be read and you will be asked to enter a plea of not guilty or guilty. A prosecuting attorney will be present to discuss your case. • Is my ticket payable and how much is it? If you have been charged with an infraction, the amount of the penalty is usually noted on the back of the ticket. If it is not, you can call the court for the penalty amount. • If I go to court on my ticket, will it cost me more? Infraction penalties are set by the Supreme Court and cannot be increased or lowered by a judge or clerk. At a misdemeanor court appearance, the judge determines the amount of the fine even on misdemeanors that were originally payable at the counter. • Can I just pay my misdemeanor ticket? Some misdemeanor offenses do not require a court ...  more