Los Angeles Arraignments: What to Expect, How to Prepare, and Why Legal Representation Matters

If you or a loved one is facing a Los Angeles arraignment, the first court appearance in a criminal case, it is absolutely essential that you understand what to expect and how to protect your rights. In Los Angeles County, arraignments are held daily across several courthouses—including the Clara Shortridge Foltz Criminal Justice Center (downtown), the Airport Courthouse, Van Nuys, Glendale, East Los Angeles, and Compton.

Whether you’re being charged with a felony, misdemeanor, or infraction, the Los Angeles arraignment is where your case begins—and the decisions made at this hearing can shape the rest of your defense. At Power Trial Lawyers, we provide trusted, aggressive representation tailored to Los Angeles courts and procedures.

What Is an Arraignment?

An arraignment is the formal process where criminal charges are read, and the accused is asked to enter a plea—guilty, not guilty, or no contest. It is also when the court may decide on release conditions, including whether to impose bail or order that the defendant be held in custody.

In Los Angeles, arraignments occur in a variety of courthouse settings, each with its own procedural nuances. Power Trial Lawyers routinely appears in all major Los Angeles criminal courts and understands how to navigate each forum strategically.

Step-by-Step: What Happens at a Los Angeles Arraignment

Here’s what typically takes place at a Los Angeles arraignment:

1. Reading of Charges – The court informs you of the charges filed by the District Attorney. These charges may stem from a police report, arrest warrant, or citation.
2. Appointment or Substitution of Counsel – If you have retained Power Trial Lawyers prior to your arraignment, we will appear on your behalf. Otherwise, the court will ask if you intend to retain private counsel or if a public defender should be appointed.
3. Entry of Plea – You will enter a plea. In nearly all felony cases and many misdemeanors, the defense will enter a “not guilty” plea to preserve all legal defenses.
4. Bail Arguments – Bail is often set or reviewed. The prosecution may ask for high bail or no bail at all. Your defense attorney will argue for own recognizance (O.R.) release or a bail reduction based on factors like your criminal history, ties to the community, and seriousness of the charges.
5. Future Court Dates – The court will set the next appearance date: often a pretrial conference or preliminary hearing.

Why You Need a Lawyer at Arraignment in Los Angeles

The Los Angeles arraignment is more than a procedural formality—it’s your first opportunity to shape the court’s perception of you and control the outcome of your case. You can make early arguments and present information to the judge to being the factual backdrop of your matter. Hiring a lawyer is important to ensure the proper arguments presented based on your case factors.

A skilled lawyer can:

• Challenge the bail amount or seek release without bail
• Preserve critical defenses by properly entering pleas and objections
• Ensure proper service of discovery
• Prevent incriminating statements or harmful concessions on record
• Lay the groundwork for future motions (e.g., Penal Code § 995 motions)

At Power Trial Lawyers, we prepare each client thoroughly before their arraignment. We examine the police report, identify weaknesses in the prosecution’s case, and assert every legal right from the outset.

Common Criminal Charges at Los Angeles Arraignments

We regularly defend clients in Los Angeles arraignments for charges that include:

• Penal Code § 422 – Criminal Threats
  Making a credible threat of harm can be charged as a felony or misdemeanor. A conviction may carry a strike under California’s “Three Strikes” law.
• Penal Code § 245(a)(2) – Assault with a Firearm
  This serious felony can carry state prison time and is often filed in cases involving handguns or rifles.
• Penal Code § 273.5 – Domestic Violence with Injury
  Involving cohabitants or intimate partners, this charge is aggressively prosecuted throughout Los Angeles County.
• Penal Code § 484/488 – Petty Theft
  Although a misdemeanor, petty theft allegations can have lasting consequences for employment and immigration status.

Whether you’re accused of a non-violent misdemeanor or a serious felony, having a seasoned attorney present at your Los Angeles arraignment can radically change the trajectory of your case.

Major Los Angeles Arraignment Courts

Power Trial Lawyers regularly appears at the following courthouses for arraignment proceedings across Los Angeles County:

• Clara Shortridge Foltz Criminal Justice Center (CCB)
  210 West Temple Street, Los Angeles, CA 90012
  Located in downtown LA, CCB handles the majority of felony arraignments and is one of the busiest criminal courts in California.
• Airport Courthouse
  11701 South La Cienega Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA 90045
  This courthouse serves areas near LAX and Westside communities such as Inglewood, Venice, and Westchester.
• Governor George Deukmejian Courthouse 275 Magnolia Ave, Long Beach, CA 90802 This courthouse is the main Long Beach Courthouse, serving a major mortion of Los Angeles County
• Van Nuys Courthouse West
  14400 Erwin Street Mall, Van Nuys, CA 91401
  The primary hub for criminal arraignments in the San Fernando Valley, including both felony and misdemeanor matters.
• Glendale Courthouse
  600 East Broadway, Glendale, CA 91206
  A smaller courthouse with jurisdiction over Glendale, Burbank (in limited cases), and nearby foothill communities.
• Compton Courthouse
  200 West Compton Boulevard, Compton, CA 90220
  Located in South Los Angeles, this courthouse often handles gang-related charges and high-profile cases from the region.
• East Los Angeles Courthouse
  4848 East Civic Center Way, Los Angeles, CA 90022
  Handling arraignments and pretrial matters for communities east of downtown, including Boyle Heights, East LA, and Monterey Park.

Each of these venues operates under distinct prosecutorial policies and judicial customs. At Power Trial Lawyers, we tailor our arraignment defense strategy to the courthouse, the judge, and the prosecuting agency.

Don’t Face Your Los Angeles Arraignment Alone

If you’ve been arrested or received a court summons, your future is on the line. What happens at your Los Angeles arraignment could mean the difference between jail time, a long court battle, or a negotiated resolution.

At Power Trial Lawyers, we defend your rights from day one. We offer:

• Aggressive bail advocacy
• Immediate access to discovery and legal strategy
• Courtroom presence across all Los Angeles arraignment courts
• Compassionate, experienced criminal defense lawyers who fight for you

Contact Power Trial Lawyers for Help with Your Los Angeles Arraignment

Every minute counts after an arrest. Contact Power Trial Lawyers today to speak with a Los Angeles arraignment lawyer who understands the courts, the prosecutors, and the stakes.

 Call now or schedule your confidential consultation to get help with your Los Angeles arraignment before it’s too late.