What an Arraignment Is
An arraignment is a brief court appearance — typically 5 to 10 minutes — at which you're formally advised of the charges and asked to enter a plea. It is not a trial. Evidence is not presented. The judge is not deciding guilt. It is a procedural step.
The Three Plea Options
- Not Guilty: The correct plea at arraignment in virtually every DUI case. Preserves all options — evidence challenges, negotiation, suppression motions, trial.
- Guilty: Immediately waives your right to trial and challenge evidence. You will be sentenced on a DUI conviction. Never plead guilty at arraignment without speaking to a defense attorney.
- No Contest: Neither admits nor denies guilt but accepts punishment. Functionally similar to guilty for criminal purposes.
With an Attorney
With an attorney, arraignment is routine. We appear with you, enter a not guilty plea, and in many Utah courts can waive your personal appearance entirely. We also begin discovery at this stage — requesting police reports, dashcam footage, breath test records, and calibration logs.
Justice Courts vs. District Courts
First-offense DUI misdemeanors are often heard in justice courts rather than district courts. Justice courts have different procedures and timelines. Some judges handle DUI cases differently than district court judges — local knowledge matters. We practice in both.
Call (801) 627-1110. We appear at arraignments statewide.