What happens at a criminal arraignment in Bergen County
If you are facing criminal charges in Bergen County, New Jersey, the arraignment is one of the earliest and most consequential court appearances you will attend. At the arraignment, the judge formally informs you of the charges against you and asks you to enter a plea. In New Jersey, the arraignment also triggers critical decisions about pretrial release under the state’s 2017 bail reform, which replaced cash bail with a risk-based system. The specific procedures differ depending on whether your case is a disorderly persons offense heard in Bergen County Municipal Court or an indictable crime heard in the Superior Court of New Jersey, Law Division — Criminal Part, at the Bergen Vicinage at 10 Main Street in Hackensack. Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. represents individuals at arraignments throughout Bergen County, including in Hackensack, Fort Lee, Teaneck, Paramus, Englewood, Ridgewood, Fair Lawn, Bergenfield, Garfield, Mahwah, Ramsey, and Lyndhurst. To discuss your case before your arraignment, call (888) 437-7747. Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. – Advocacy Without Borders.
The criminal arraignment process in Bergen County
An arraignment in Bergen County begins with the court advising you of the charges contained in the complaint or indictment. The judge will read the charges aloud or provide a summary, and you will be asked to enter a plea of guilty, not guilty, or no contest. If you plead not guilty, the case moves into the pretrial phase, where discovery is exchanged, motions may be filed, and a trial date is set. If you were arrested on a warrant, the arraignment often occurs shortly after your initial appearance, sometimes on the same day. For summons cases for less serious disorderly persons offenses, the court will schedule the arraignment for a later date.
New Jersey’s pretrial release process is a defining feature of arraignment in Bergen County. The state abolished cash bail in 2017 and now uses a Public Safety Assessment (PSA) — a computerized risk score that evaluates the likelihood of flight and the danger a defendant may pose to the community. At or before the arraignment, the court reviews the PSA and decides whether to release the defendant on their own recognizance, impose non-monetary conditions, or order pretrial detention. There are no bail bondsmen in New Jersey. For many first-time defendants and those charged with non-violent offenses, release without monetary conditions is common. However, the prosecutor may move for detention in serious cases, and a hearing must be held promptly. Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. helps clients present compelling release arguments and navigate the PSA process at their arraignment.
How Mr. Sris and his Of Counsel handle criminal arraignment cases
When a client contacts Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. before an arraignment in Bergen County, Mr. Sris and his Of Counsel act quickly to gather information about the charges, the client’s background, and any potential release issues. The team reviews the complaint to identify weaknesses in the state’s case and prepares to enter a plea that protects the client’s rights. If the client is in custody, the priority is to secure the most favorable pretrial release terms possible — whether that means arguing for ROR (released on own recognizance), proposing a supervised release plan, or contesting the prosecutor’s motion for detention.
At the arraignment itself, Mr. Sris and his Of Counsel appear before the court to formally enter the plea and address any release or scheduling matters. They understand the specific practices of the Bergen Vicinage — the judges, the prosecutors, and the procedural rhythms that can shape how long a case takes and what options are available. After the arraignment, the team immediately turns to the pretrial phase, investigating the facts, identifying evidence, and building a thorough defense strategy. Every step is taken with the goal of achieving a favorable resolution, whether through a motion to dismiss, a negotiated plea, or trial.
About Mr. Sris and his Of Counsel team
Mr. Sris, Owner and Founder of Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C., has been practicing law since 1997 and is admitted in Virginia, Maryland, the District of Columbia, New Jersey, and New York. He is a former prosecutor, and that experience gives him insight into how prosecution cases are built and where they can be challenged. Mr. Sris testified before the Virginia House Courts of Justice Committee in support of 2019 HB 635 (chief patron Del. David Bulova). He leads a team of Of Counsel who collectively bring over 120 years of combined legal experience, with 4,739+ documented firm-wide results. Results may vary.
The attorneys serving New Jersey clients include Mr. Sris and Of Counsel who are experienced in handling criminal matters from arraignment through trial and appeal. The firm’s New Jersey location is at 44 Apple St, 1st Floor, Tinton Falls, NJ 07724. Appointments are available by request; call (888) 437-7747 to schedule.
Frequently asked questions
What exactly happens at a criminal arraignment in Bergen County?
At an arraignment in Bergen County, the judge formally advises you of the charges against you and asks you to enter a plea of guilty, not guilty, or no contest. If you plead not guilty, the court will address your pretrial release status under the PSA system and then schedule future court dates including a pretrial conference or a trial date. The specific court location depends on whether the charge is a disorderly persons offense (handled in Bergen County Municipal Court) or an indictable crime (handled in the Superior Court, Bergen Vicinage at 10 Main Street, Hackensack). To discuss your particular case, reach Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. at (888) 437-7747.
Do I need a lawyer for my arraignment in Bergen County?
You are not legally required to have a lawyer at your arraignment, but it is strongly advisable to be represented. An attorney can enter a plea that protects your rights, argue for the most favorable release conditions, and begin building your defense immediately. If you cannot afford an attorney, the court will determine your eligibility for a public defender at the arraignment. However, the public defender application carries a $200 fee (waivable in certain cases), and the office may be overburdened. For guidance on your specific situation, reach Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. at (888) 437-7747.
How does pretrial release work at a Bergen County arraignment?
Pretrial release in Bergen County is determined by a Public Safety Assessment (PSA) — a computerized risk score — not by posting cash bail. New Jersey abolished cash bail in 2017. At the arraignment, the judge reviews the PSA and may release the defendant on their own recognizance, impose supervision conditions, or, if the prosecutor files a detention motion, hold a detention hearing. The PSA considers factors such as the seriousness of the charge, prior criminal history, and ties to the community. Mr. Sris and his Of Counsel are familiar with the PSA system and work to present favorable information to the court. For a consultation, reach Mr. Sris and his Of Counsel at (888) 437-7747.
What is the difference between disorderly persons offenses and indictable crimes at arraignment?
Disorderly persons offenses are heard in Bergen County Municipal Court and are equivalent to misdemeanors, carrying potential penalties of up to 6 months in jail and a $1,000 fine; indictable crimes are felonies heard in the Superior Court Criminal Part. At a municipal court arraignment, the process is generally faster and you may receive a summons rather than be arrested. For indictable crimes, the arraignment occurs after a grand jury indictment, and the stakes are higher — penalties range from up to 18 months for a fourth-degree crime to life imprisonment for a first-degree crime. To discuss the details of your matter, contact Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. at (888) 437-7747.
What should I do if I am arrested and facing an arraignment in Bergen County?
If you are arrested in Bergen County, you should immediately ask to speak with an attorney and avoid discussing the facts of your case with anyone except your lawyer. Anything you say to police or others can be used against you. After your arrest, you will be taken before a judge for a first appearance, where bail will be set under the PSA system. An attorney can appear at that hearing and at the subsequent arraignment to safeguard your rights. Mr. Sris and his Of Counsel team at Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. can be reached 24 hours a day at (888) 437-7747. The firm’s New Jersey location serves all of Bergen County.
Related areas of practice: Hunterdon County criminal defense · Somerset County criminal defense · Morris County criminal defense · Monmouth County criminal defense · Sussex County criminal defense
Official resources: Superior Court of NJ, Bergen Vicinage · NJ Pretrial Services · New Jersey Courts
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