By Sarah Phillips, Phillips Law – Criminal Defense & Personal Injury Attorney, New Orleans, LA

If this is your first time going to court, you may be feeling anxious or unsure about what to expect at your arraignment. That’s completely normal—and I’m here to help.

At Phillips Law, we believe that information is power. So let’s walk through what an arraignment is, what happens during one, and most importantly, what you should and shouldn’t do when that day comes.

What Is an Arraignment?

An arraignment is typically the first court appearance after the district attorney (DA) has accepted your case and it has been assigned to a court section. This hearing is procedural, not substantive—meaning nothing major or case-deciding will happen.

The main purpose of an arraignment is for the judge to:

  • Formally read the charges against you

  • Remind you of your constitutional rights

  • Ask, “How do you plead?”

If you’ve hired an attorney, good news: your attorney will speak for you. That means less pressure on you, and it ensures your rights are protected from the very start.

The Three Types of Pleas

In Louisiana, you generally have three plea options:

1. Not Guilty (✅ Recommended)

This is our default recommendation. Pleading not guilty doesn’t mean you’re claiming innocence on the spot—it means you’re exercising your right to due process. It gives us time to review the evidence, file motions, negotiate, and make sure the prosecution does its job properly.

2. Guilty (❌ Not Recommended)

Pleading guilty means you’re immediately accepting the charges and any associated penalties—often without seeing the evidence, filing any motions, or negotiating a better outcome. In most cases, this can seriously hurt your future.

3. No Contest (Nolo Contendere) (⚠️ Avoid Without Legal Advice)

This plea sounds like a compromise, but it carries the same legal consequences as a guilty plea. It’s often used to encourage quick resolutions on minor charges—especially when someone shows up to court without an attorney. Don’t fall for it.

Why You Should Not Plead Guilty at Your Arraignment

Many people think pleading guilty is the fastest way to “get it over with.” But that decision can have lifelong consequences, including:

  • Immediate penalties like fines, probation, or jail

  • A permanent criminal record (possibly not expungeable)

  • Loss of employment or housing opportunities

  • Giving up your right to review evidence or negotiate

And worst of all? There’s no going back.

We get calls every week from people who pled guilty at their arraignment and regret it. But by then, it’s often too late. Appeals are complex, expensive, and rarely successful.

So trust us: Don’t plead guilty. You deserve time to understand the full picture—and fight for the best possible outcome.

What Happens at the Arraignment (And What We’re Doing)

If you’ve hired our firm, here’s what we’ll do during your arraignment:

  1. Enter a Not Guilty Plea on Your Behalf

  2. Begin Building a Relationship with the DA

    • At this stage, the DA may not even know your name—you’re just another case file. We’ll humanize you and make sure your story stands out.

  3. Request Initial Discovery

    • We’ll begin reviewing the limited discovery available (e.g., police reports, 911 calls, witness statements) and push for what’s missing.

This hearing is short and procedural. It is not the time to argue your case or plead for leniency. Instead, it’s the first strategic step in building your defense.

What You Should Do Before and During Arraignment

If you have an upcoming arraignment, here’s how to prepare:

✅ Show up early
✅ Dress appropriately (We have a great YouTube video on this!)
✅ Let your attorney do the talking
✅ Plead not guilty (your attorney will likely do this for you)

This isn’t the time to speak directly to the judge or DA unless instructed to. A good attorney will manage the courtroom strategy for you.

Still Thinking of Pleading Guilty?

Let’s recap why you shouldn’t:

  • You give up your right to see the evidence

  • You lose any leverage to negotiate

  • You risk lifelong consequences you didn’t fully understand

  • You can’t undo a guilty plea once entered

Pleading guilty might feel like the “easy way out”—but easy isn’t always best. If you’re reading this, you care about your future. And that means you’re worth fighting for.

What’s Next?

Once your plea is entered and the arraignment is complete, we move into the next phase: discovery, motions, and negotiations. This is where your defense is built. It’s a process—but it’s one you don’t have to go through alone.

Need Legal Help? Contact Us

If you’re a current client and have questions about your arraignment, please:

  • Message your attorney through the Clio for Clients portal, or

  • Call our office at (504) 434-7000

If you don’t have an attorney yet, but you’re facing charges in New Orleans or the surrounding area, now’s the time to act.

📞 (504) 434-7000
🌐 www.nolacriminaldefense.com

We offer free consultations and will help you understand your options. Our website also has helpful blog posts, videos, and a FAQ section so you can feel more confident about what lies ahead.

Final Thought:
You’re not just a case number. You’re a person with a future—and we’re here to protect it.