What happens after I am charged with a criminal offense or with DUI?

After you are charged with a criminal offense in Pennsylvania, including DUI, a series of important events begins. When each occurs is largely determined by the courts and under time constraints which are created by the law. Things often happen quickly in a criminal case. While this can be stressful and confusing for many people, the main reason for a fast-moving process is not to make defending your freedom more difficult, but instead to protect citizens from allegations pending against them for a lengthy and seemingly never-ending period of time. (Unlike many of the detainees held at Guantanimo Bay for many years, citizens of America generally must be brought to trial within 180 days, if confined, or within 365 days, if out on bond.) Some of these important events include an “informal arraignment” (where the charges are read to the person accused of a crime, when bond is set, and when a preliminary hearing is scheduled); a preliminary hearing; a formal arraignment; pretrial hearings; trial or pretrial diversion hearings; or plea and sentencing proceedings.