Private counsel and defendant must appear at Pre-Arraignment Conference.
When both private counsel and defendant show up, defendant signs and dates the arraignment notice (includes indictment, arraignment date and name of arraignment judge). Prosecutor's Office turns over discovery and a plea offer to counsel.
If private counsel appears but defendant fails to appear at the PAC a bench warrant is issued. The Prosecutor's Office still gives defense counsel discovery
and the plea offer. Criminal Case Manager's Office notifies defense counsel of
the Status Arraignment Conference date (usually three weeks later on a
Monday). Between the PAC and the Status Arraignment Conference (SAC)
the Sheriff's Department attempts to personally serve the defendant with
the arraignment notice.
If the defendant appears at the Pre-Arraignment Conference but private counsel fails to appear and does not communicate with the court or send a letter of representation the Pre-Arraignment Conference is adjourned for one week. Defendant is told to return on the adjourned date with his attorney or, if he still has no attorney, he must apply for a Public Defender. Defendant advised a bench warrant will be issued for him if he fails to appear on the adjourned date. The original Status Arraignment Conference date is maintained but if a Public Defender is assigned the judge's name must be changed from Triarsi/Span to correct judge in Promis and on the arraignment notice. |