If charges are filed, the juvenile will be scheduled for an arraignment and will appear in front of a judge. If a juvenile is in custody, an arraignment will typically occur at 1:30 pm within 24 hours of the arrest. If a juvenile is out of custody, he/she will typically receive notice by mail of a date to appear before the court. At the arraignment, the judge will determine if there is probable cause to continue with the prosecution of the case. The court will also set conditions of release that the juvenile must follow. Respondents are advised to enter a 'not guilty' plea at arraignment to allow the defense attorney time to review police reports, interview witnesses, independently investigate the crime and/or negotiate an appropriate plea.

The next scheduled hearing is a pretrial conference. The pretrial conference does not take place in front of the judge. The prosecutor and the respondent?s defense attorney meet to discuss whether the respondent intends to plead guilty or will request a trial. The respondent may accept a plea offer made by the prosecutor. If this occurs, a plea date as well as a sentencing date will be scheduled. As a victim you have the right to address the court at sentencing.