What happens at a criminal arraignment in Camden County
An arraignment is your first formal appearance in court after being arrested or charged with a criminal offense in Camden County. If you face an indictable crime—a felony-level offense—the arraignment will take place before a judge in the Superior Court of New Jersey, Camden Vicinage, at 101 South Fifth Street, Camden, NJ 08103. For disorderly persons offenses (the equivalent of a misdemeanor), the initial appearance may happen in a Camden County Municipal Court. At an arraignment, the judge informs you of the charges, ensures you understand your rights, asks whether you will retain an attorney, and addresses the question of pretrial release. New Jersey does not use cash bail—release is decided under the Criminal Justice Reform Act based on a Public Safety Assessment. Having experienced counsel present at this stage is critical, because the choices made at arraignment can affect everything from your liberty pending trial to the strategic posture of your defense. For guidance about your arraignment, reach Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. at (888) 437-7747. Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. – Advocacy Without Borders.
What Happens at a Camden County Arraignment
An arraignment in the Camden Vicinage follows a structured process that serves to protect the accused’s constitutional rights while moving the case forward. After the defendant is called before the judge, the court will read the charges on the record—or, in many cases, confirm that counsel has received a copy of the complaint or indictment. The judge then confirms the defendant’s identity and asks whether the defendant understands the charges. If the defendant has not yet retained an attorney, the court will inquire into financial eligibility for a public defender and may adjourn to allow time to hire private counsel.
Next, the defendant is asked to enter a plea. In nearly all cases, a not guilty plea is entered at this stage so that defense counsel can review discovery, investigate the case, and negotiate with the prosecutor. The judge next addresses the issue of pretrial release. Because New Jersey abolished cash bail in January 2017, a defendant’s release is determined by a Public Safety Assessment (PSA)—a computerized risk score that measures the likelihood of failing to appear and the risk of new criminal activity. Depending on the PSA and the prosecutor’s position, the judge may release the defendant on own recognizance, impose monitoring conditions, or, in limited circumstances, order pretrial detention. An attorney who understands the Camden County court’s practices can advocate for the least restrictive conditions and address any prosecutorial motion for detention.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a criminal arraignment in New Jersey?
An arraignment is the court hearing where a defendant is formally advised of the charges and asked to enter a plea. In New Jersey, the procedure is governed by N.J.S.A. Title 2C and the Rules of Court. For indictable offenses, the arraignment occurs in Superior Court after an indictment is returned by a grand jury. For disorderly persons charges, the initial appearance and plea are typically handled at a Municipal Court session. The arraignment marks the start of the formal court process, after which discovery is exchanged and pretrial motions may be filed.
When does an arraignment take place after an arrest in Camden County?
If a defendant is detained, the initial appearance typically occurs within 48 hours of arrest, and the arraignment follows soon afterward. For indictable crimes, after a complaint-warrant is issued, a first appearance and a detention hearing are held promptly. If the matter proceeds to indictment, the arraignment is scheduled once the grand jury returns an indictment—generally within a few weeks. Anyone released pretrial will receive notice of the date and time. Prompt contact with an attorney helps protect the ability to prepare for the hearing and to address release conditions effectively.
Do I need a lawyer present at my arraignment?
You are not required to have a lawyer, but going to an arraignment unrepresented can have serious consequences. An attorney can argue for release on your own recognizance rather than detention, negotiate the scope of any monitoring conditions, and make sure you do not inadvertently say anything that could be used against you later. A lawyer also ensures that procedural rights—including the right to a preliminary hearing on certain charges—are preserved. If you cannot afford an attorney, the court will determine whether you qualify for representation by the Public Defender’s Office, but private counsel allows you to begin building a defense immediately.
What are the possible pleas at an arraignment?
The three pleas available in New Jersey are not guilty, guilty, and non vult (no contest). In the overwhelming majority of cases, a not guilty plea is entered at the arraignment to preserve all defenses. A guilty plea at this early stage is extremely rare, because the defense has not yet received discovery or completed a thorough investigation. A non vult plea has the same effect as a guilty plea for sentencing purposes but, unlike a guilty plea, cannot be used as an admission in a related civil case. An attorney can explain the strategic implications of each plea and the appropriate timing.
How is pretrial release determined at a Camden County arraignment?
Release is based on a Public Safety Assessment (PSA) score, not on cash bail, because New Jersey abolished cash bail in January 2017. The PSA uses a computerized algorithm to measure the defendant’s risk of failure to appear and the risk of new criminal activity. The score, along with a recommendation from Pretrial Services, is presented to the judge, who may release the defendant with conditions such as telephone check-ins, curfews, or electronic monitoring. If the prosecutor files a motion for detention, the court holds a hearing at which the defense can present countervailing evidence. Experienced counsel can make a substantial difference by highlighting ties to the community, employment status, and lack of prior record.
What happens if I fail to appear for my arraignment?
Failing to appear can result in a bench warrant for your arrest and additional criminal charges. Under New Jersey law, a willful failure to appear after being ordered to do so is a separate offense. If you realize you will miss a scheduled arraignment, contact your attorney immediately—counsel can often notify the court and resolve the warrant before harsh consequences attach. The court may also reconsider any release conditions and could order pretrial detention if it concludes you are unlikely to return voluntarily in the future.
What is Pre-Trial Intervention (PTI) and can it be discussed at arraignment?
PTI is a diversionary program for first-time indictable offenders that, if successfully completed, results in dismissal of the charges. PTI application typically occurs after the arraignment, once defense counsel has evaluated the case and confirmed eligibility. However, counsel may raise the possibility of PTI at the arraignment or shortly thereafter to start the conversation with the prosecutor and to request that the court avoid setting tight deadlines that could preclude the PTI process. For more information, visit the Camden Vicinage website.
Can charges be dropped at the arraignment?
Charges are rarely dismissed at arraignment, but an attorney may raise immediate legal challenges. If the charging document is defective—for example, it fails to state an essential element of the offense—defense counsel can move for dismissal. Additionally, if a defendant has been held on a complaint-warrant and the prosecutor has not yet obtained an indictment within the statutory time limit, counsel may file a motion for release or dismissal. In most cases, however, the arraignment is primarily informational, and the substantive defense work—motions to suppress, challenges to the sufficiency of the evidence, negotiation of a plea—follows later.
How does a disorderly persons arraignment differ from an indictable offense arraignment?
Disorderly persons charges are heard in Municipal Court, not Superior Court, and the process is generally more abbreviated. The maximum jail exposure on a disorderly persons offense is six months, and many cases are resolved through plea negotiations without a grand jury indictment. At the initial hearing, the defendant pleads not guilty, and the court schedules a future date for a pretrial conference or trial. Because these matters move faster than indictable cases, it is important to have counsel present from the very first appearance to review the evidence and negotiate with the municipal prosecutor. The Camden Vicinage Municipal Courts handle such matters within the same judicial district.
About Mr. Sris and the Firm’s Of Counsel Attorneys
Mr. Sris, Owner and Founder of Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C., is a former prosecutor who has practiced criminal law since 1997. He is admitted to the bars of Virginia, Maryland, the District of Columbia, New Jersey, and New York. The firm’s Of Counsel attorneys bring extensive combined experience representing individuals facing criminal charges in Camden County. The firm handles matters ranging from disorderly persons offenses to serious indictable crimes, including appearances in the Superior Court, Camden Vicinage. For a consultation about your upcoming arraignment, reach the firm at (888) 437-7747.
Related Criminal Defense Resources: Hunterdon County Criminal Lawyer | Somerset County Criminal Defense | Morris County Criminal Defense Attorney | Bergen County Criminal Defense
For official court information, see the Superior Court of New Jersey, Camden Vicinage website.
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