What happens at a criminal arraignment in Burlington County
An arraignment is the first formal court appearance after an arrest or summons in Burlington County, New Jersey. The proceeding itself is typically brief — often only a few minutes — but it sets the entire trajectory of a criminal case. You will be told what charges have been filed, advised of your right to counsel, and the court will determine conditions for your release while the case is pending. In New Jersey, cash bail has been abolished since 2017, so the judge will not set a monetary bond. Instead, the court uses a Public Safety Assessment (PSA) — a computerized risk score that measures both your flight risk and the danger you might pose to the community — to decide whether to release you on your own recognizance, release you with conditions, or detain you without bail. Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. handles criminal defense matters in Burlington County; to speak with an attorney, call (888) 437-7747. Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. – Advocacy Without Borders.
How an arraignment works in Burlington County
New Jersey organizes its criminal cases into two broad categories: disorderly persons offenses (the equivalent of misdemeanors) and indictable crimes (the equivalent of felonies). Where your arraignment occurs depends on the level of the charge. Most disorderly persons offenses are heard in the Burlington County Municipal Court, which sits at 49 Rancocas Road in Mount Holly. Indictable offenses, on the other hand, are initially heard in the Superior Court of New Jersey, Law Division — Criminal Part, also in Mount Holly, at the same courthouse complex.
At an arraignment, the judge will read the charges against you — or, if you are represented by counsel, your lawyer may waive the formal reading. The judge will then ask how you plead. You may enter a plea of guilty, not guilty, or, in some circumstances, no contest. If you plead not guilty, the judge will schedule future court dates. In Municipal Court, the next step is often a pretrial conference or a trial date. In Superior Court, after a not-guilty plea on an indictable charge, the matter proceeds toward a status conference and, eventually, a trial or plea negotiation.
One crucial step at the arraignment is the court’s release decision. New Jersey’s Criminal Justice Reform Act of 2017 eliminated cash bail entirely. Instead, the court relies on a Public Safety Assessment that scores your risk of flight and the danger you present. That score — which draws on factors such as prior convictions, failure-to-appear history, and the nature of the current charge — leads to a recommendation: release on your own recognizance, release with monitoring or other conditions, or a motion by the prosecutor to detain you pretrial. If the prosecutor moves for detention, a detention hearing will be scheduled promptly, usually within days, where a judge will hear argument and decide whether you stay in custody until trial.
What to expect on your appearance day
You should arrive at the courthouse early, dressed appropriately, and prepared to wait. The Burlington County Courthouse at 49 Rancocas Road in Mount Holly is the center of criminal proceedings for the county. You will pass through security before entering the courtroom. In Municipal Court, many defendants appear without an attorney, but it is not advisable — an experienced criminal defense lawyer can help you understand the charges, speak on your behalf, and often negotiate for a more favorable pretrial release or a resolution of the case without a trial. In Superior Court, representation by counsel is nearly universal, and the judge will appoint a public defender if you cannot afford one and are facing the possibility of incarceration.
After your case is called, the judge will confirm your identity and verify that you have received the complaint or indictment. If you do not have a lawyer, the judge will advise you of your right to counsel and, if you qualify financially, explain how to apply for the public defender. The entire arraignment typically takes only a few minutes per defendant, but the impression you make — and the decisions the court makes about your release and future schedule — can have lasting consequences. Having an attorney with you from the very beginning ensures that procedural errors are caught, that the prosecutor’s initial position is challenged, and that your rights are fully protected.
How Mr. Sris and his Of Counsel handle Burlington County criminal cases
Mr. Sris, a former prosecutor who founded Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. in 1997, together with his Of Counsel, approaches every Burlington County criminal case with the understanding that the arraignment is not a formality but the crucial first chapter of a defense. Before your court date, they review the charging documents, the police reports, and any available discovery to identify weaknesses in the state’s case. At the arraignment itself, they may challenge the prosecutor’s detention position, argue for the least restrictive release conditions, and begin laying the groundwork for a motion to suppress evidence or dismiss the charges.
Because all attorneys at the firm have over a decade of practice, and Mr. Sris himself carries decades of trial experience across five jurisdictions, the team can give you a clear picture of what lies ahead — how the Burlington County courts typically handle the kind of charge you face, what pretrial diversion programs such as Pre-Trial Intervention (PTI) or conditional discharge might be available, and what strategic moves make the most sense at this early stage. Past results do not guarantee a similar outcome, but being prepared for the arraignment can influence everything that follows.
About Mr. Sris and his Of Counsel team
Mr. Sris, Owner and Founder of Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C., is a former prosecutor who has practiced criminal law since 1997. He is admitted to practice in Virginia, Maryland, the District of Columbia, New Jersey, and New York, and handles matters in Burlington County from the firm’s New Jersey location. Over 120 years of combined legal experience between Mr. Sris and his Of Counsel, with 4,739+ documented firm-wide results, stand behind every case the firm accepts. Results may vary.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a lawyer at the arraignment?
You are not legally required to have a lawyer present at your arraignment, but it is strongly advisable. An experienced attorney can make sure the charges are properly understood, advocate for your release without unnecessary conditions, and begin building a defense from the very first court appearance. Even in Municipal Court, where many people appear unrepresented, having counsel can make a significant difference in the outcome. Your lawyer can also advise you on what to say — or, more often, what not to say — and can ensure that your constitutional rights are preserved.
What happens if I plead not guilty?
If you plead not guilty at your Burlington County arraignment, the court will set a future court date for a pretrial conference or trial. In Municipal Court, a trial date may be set within a few weeks to a few months. In Superior Court, a not-guilty plea leads to a status conference and then a schedule for discovery, motions, and possibly trial. Your lawyer will use the time after the arraignment to investigate the charges, negotiate with the prosecutor, and prepare your defense. You can change your plea later if a resolution is reached.
Will I be held in jail after the arraignment?
Not necessarily; New Jersey abolished cash bail in 2017, so whether you are detained depends on a risk assessment, not on your ability to pay. The court uses the Public Safety Assessment to evaluate your flight risk and danger to the community. If the prosecutor moves for detention, a hearing will be held within a few days. Otherwise, you will likely be released on your own recognizance or with conditions. An attorney can argue against detention and for the least restrictive conditions possible.
Can the charges be dismissed at the arraignment?
It is rare for charges to be dismissed outright at an arraignment, but it can happen if a clear legal defect exists. For example, if the complaint fails to state an offense, or if there is a statute-of-limitations issue visible on the face of the charging document, your lawyer can move to dismiss. More commonly, the arraignment is the starting point for a process that may lead to a dismissal later — through pretrial intervention, conditional discharge, or a successful suppression motion. An early assessment by experienced counsel is key.
What is the difference between Municipal Court and Superior Court arraignment in Burlington County?
Municipal Court handles disorderly persons offenses and traffic matters, while Superior Court — Criminal Part handles all indictable (felony) charges. The procedure is similar, but in Superior Court the consequences are far more serious, and the presence of an attorney is almost always essential. In Superior Court, the judge will also address pretrial release through the PSA/detention process and may schedule a status conference before a trial date is set.
How can I contact a criminal defense attorney in Burlington County?
To speak with a criminal defense lawyer who handles Burlington County cases, you can reach Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. at (888) 437-7747. Mr. Sris and his Of Counsel offer consultations to discuss the charges, the Burlington County court process, and what steps to take before and after the arraignment. Contacting counsel early — ideally before the court date — can give you the strong $1 from the start.
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