If bail is set at a Justice of the Peace Court, the defendant may be ordered to have a bail review hearing in Family Court the next day. The defendant will be detained at a correctional facility until the next court hearing unless bail is posted. Cash bail is not necessary in some cases. If released the defendant must obey all conditions for release. Failure to obey the conditions of release may result in more charges.
Defendants have a right to an attorney.
A person who wants an attorney but cannot afford one should contact the Public Defender's Office to see if they qualify for a public defender. Defendants are informed of the charges and of their rights at arraignment hearings. At an arraignment hearing each defendant may enter a plea. Defendants who plead not guilty are scheduled for either a case review or a trial. Defendants may plead guilty either at a case review or at trial.