The first hearing after you are arrested is called the arraignment. At the arraignment, the document listing your criminal charges will be filed (that document is called “the Complaint”). Almost without exception, a NOT-GUILTY plea will be entered and two other topics will be covered: The first is your custody status. If you’re in jail, the judge will decide if you get bail, and if so, how much it will be; or, the judge could decide that you should be released without having to post bail at all (best case scenario). If you are out of jail, the judge can decide whether to impose bail conditions or even raise bail previously posted.
The second topic will be the scheduling of two future court dates: a readiness conference and, with felonies, a preliminary hearing; with misdemeanors, a trial date.