What is an arraignment in Broward County?

KEY TAKEAWAYS:

An arraignment in Broward County is the first court hearing where formal charges are read and a defendant enters a plea. For felony cases in the 17th Judicial Circuit, attendance is generally required. For misdemeanors, an experienced Fort Lauderdale felony defense lawyer may be able to appear on your behalf. Entering the right plea — and understanding your constitutional rights — is critical from the start.

A Broward County arraignment hearing may be your first time standing before a judge after an arrest. Walking in unprepared can put you at a serious disadvantage. Here, our experienced Fort Lauderdale felony defense lawyer answers the most common questions about what happens at an arraignment, how to plead, and why you need an attorney representing you at this hearing. 

What Is an Arraignment?

A Broward County arraignment is a formal court hearing at which a defendant is officially notified of the charges filed against them and asked to enter a plea. No evidence is presented, no witnesses testify, and no verdict is reached. 

In Broward County, misdemeanor arraignments are held in County Court, while Florida felony charges are heard in the 17th Judicial Circuit Court. At the hearing, the judge reads the charges, takes your plea, addresses bond conditions, and schedules the next court date.

Do You Have to Attend a Broward County Arraignment?

It depends on the charge. If you are facing felony charges, you are generally required to appear in person. Missing this court hearing can result in a bench warrant. 

For misdemeanor charges, Florida law may allow your attorney to appear on your behalf and file a written plea, excusing you from the courtroom entirely. Whether that is the right move depends on the facts, the judge, and the charge. Attorney Dave Simmons draws on more than 27 years of experience in the 17th Judicial Circuit to advise clients on whether waiving misdemeanor appearance makes sense in their specific case.

What to Expect at an Arraignment

Broward County arraignment hearings are typically brief — often just a few minutes. Here is what generally happens:

• The judge or court clerk reads the formal charges filed against you
• You or your attorney enters a plea on the record
• Bond is reviewed, and conditions may be maintained, modified, or set
• The next court date is scheduled

At this hearing, the judge may appoint a public defender if you have not retained counsel. That said, the criminal case process moves quickly in Broward County.  Waiting until the arraignment or after it to engage our felony defense lawyer could mean missing the pre-filing window that may determine the direction of the criminal case.

How Should You Plead at an Arraignment?

You will be asked to choose one of three pleas at your arraignment:

• Not Guilty. This is the standard plea at arraignment. It contests the charges, requires the State to prove its case, and preserves every option in the future — negotiations, motions, diversion, and trial.
• Guilty. A guilty plea is an admission that you committed the offense. It is rarely advisable at arraignment without a negotiated plea agreement already in place.
• No Contest (Nolo Contendere). You do not admit guilt when pleading no contest, but do not contest the evidence. The court treats it like a guilty plea for sentencing purposes and should only be entered after careful review with our Broward County criminal defense lawyer. 

In nearly all cases, the right move at arraignment is to plead not guilty. You can always change your plea later.

What Are Your Constitutional Rights at an Arraignment?

Even at this early stage, you retain powerful constitutional protections. Three key ones to enforce include:

• Right to remain silent. You should not explain yourself or answer questions from anyone in the courthouse. The arraignment is not the time to tell your side of the story, and anything you say could be used against you.
• Right to a speedy trial. Under Florida Rule of Criminal Procedure 3.191, you have 175 days from arrest for felonies and 90 days for misdemeanors to have your case go to trial. Our felony defense lawyer may strategically waive this, but the right exists from day one. 
• Right to an attorney. You are entitled to representation at every critical stage, including arraignment. In most cases, if you cannot afford an attorney, the court must appoint one.

What Should You Wear to Court?

First impressions matter when dealing with the judge and prosecutor. Dress conservatively — business casual at minimum. Avoid T-shirts, athletic wear, hats, and clothing with graphics. A few other tips:

• Arrive early, as courthouse security lines can be unpredictable
• Bring a photo ID and any paperwork from the court or your attorney
• Silence your phone before entering the courtroom
• Address the judge as "Your Honor" and speak only when directed

Why You Need an Attorney at Your Arraignment

The arraignment is when the case officially begins on the public docket, and decisions made there set the trajectory for everything that follows. Attorney Dave Simmons is a former Broward County Assistant State Attorney and Assistant Public Defender — he does not wait until arraignment to start working on your case. Here is what that looks like in practice:

• Intervenes during the pre-filing window before formal charges are even filed
• Advises on whether to waive appearance at a misdemeanor arraignment
• Contests bond conditions or argues for modification at the hearing
• Develops an aggressive defense strategy to fight your charges
• Positions the case early for diversion programs, suppression motions, or negotiated resolution
• Protects your record from day one — because how the case is resolved determines whether sealing or expungement remains an option

If you are facing charges in Broward County, learn more about what to look for when hiring a Fort Lauderdale criminal defense lawyer and reach out to schedule a free initial consultation to discuss your case.