How many times does an arrainment normally get put off and what is the out come when case is finally heard?

Question

Last year in June ( more than a year ago now) my ex attacked me and did over 5000 dollars worth of damage to my friend's truck. He tried to hurt me with a 25lb dumbell and threw it in to the windshield, He also threatened me telling me he will kill me. Unfortunatly the DA is charging him w/ my friend's part of the case (damage to the truck) and not mine (assult). This is a Fellony Charge he is facing and it is his second offence. The first one was a long time ago in California where he did 6 years in a MAXIUM Security Prison. The DA told me he has another arrainment coming up on the 11th next month but this is like the 6th time for him to go for an arrainment. I just want justice for everything I have gone through. I am scared he is going to just get a slap on the wrist and a fine. What is the likelyness he will do time? And if he does, how long would it most likely be for? How long does it normally take for the system to hear the case and do something about it?

Answer 1

When a person is arrested, they will go through the arraignment process. This means they will be formally charged with the commission of a crime. By law, a person is only allowed to plead "not guilty" during arraignment. The Judge at this point will set, raise or deny bail. Bail is nothing more than assuring that a person will report to court for a trial. If a person is considered a flight risk or if the court determines that a person represents a danger to another individual or to the public at large, then bail is denied and the person is held in jail until trial.

A District Attorney will examine every facet of a case that is brought before them. Investigations are held and details are brought to light. Right up until a trial is started, the DA's office can and will levy charges.

In reading your question, it brings the thought to mind that other facts may have been brought to light and secondary charges have been levied here. Each time another charge is levied, the person must be brought back to court and a new arraignment process will be heard.

If this is the case here, this means that your ex is now looking at a total of 6 charges. Considering the first charge was a felony and he has a prior record, it would be unlikely for the DA not to press maximum charges for prison time. Without knowing exactly what the other charges are that have been levied, it is impossible to even guesstimate how much time he could be looking at.

Best advice would be to contact the District Attorney's Office for the list of charges. They should also be able to give you an idea of what the ex could be facing in a court of law.

Best of luck in this and I hope you can find this useful