Kimberly Kollmeyer • February 25, 2026
Not Guilty Chapter 5 | Arraignment
THE COURTS ARE REQUIRED
to make the defendant aware of the charges against him or her, and the range of punishment associated with those charges. Arraignment simply means, a reading of the charges. Often times it is embarrassing for the defendant to have the charges read in front of a courtroom full of people, and the Judges don’t really want to read all that to every person in the room. It is relatively standard practice to waive arraignment. That said, there are timelines that come into effect when arraignment is had. For example, a request for a change of judge or venue must be made within ten days of arraignment. Do not make this decision on your own. Get a lawyer to assist you.
Arraignment – A reading of the charges.
Not Guilty Plea– It is standard procedure to plead not guilty at the beginning of a case.Guilty pleas are only made once all discovery, evidence, and options have been weighed.
Generally once bond is set and arraignment is waived, the court sets the case out for a period of time for a follow-up court appearance regarding the status of the case. It is hoped that before the next court appearance the defendant will hire an attorney to represent him or herself.
A plea of not guilty
is standard procedure. There are many rights at play associated with entering a plea of guilty, and that won’t be done until after receipt of the discovery (police reports and other evidence), and the lawyer and client have the opportunity to review the case and applicable rights together, outside of court. Default to “not guilty”. A plea of guilty is only entered intentionally, discussed ahead of time, and when everyone is ready.
*Disclaimer:
This book is intended as an informational resource regarding the criminal court process in the State of Missouri, not to advise you legally concerning your specific legal situation. This book is not intended to take the place of a skilled and competent attorney. If you or a loved one are facing charges in the criminal courts, you have potential rights at risk, and you need to get an attorney. The choice of an attorney is an important decision, not based on advertising alone. You are not represented by the writers of this book, and the writers of this book are not liable for any reliance on the information in this book. You need to get your own attorney to advise and assist you concerning the specific facts of your situation. This book was written in 2024 concerning Missouri law and does not apply to the laws of other States. Sometimes laws change. Different locations have different practices and local rules. This book is not intended to be exhaustive. If you are in need of an attorney, do not rely on this book, GET A LAWYER!
