DUI Initial Court Appearances in Montgomery County

If you've been charged with a DUI, you will spend a lot of time in court. After an arrest is documented, you will receive a summons in the mail to appear in court, unless advised otherwise by an attorney or judge. Attendance for many of these dates isn't optional. Some of them are mandatory, with or without representation.

If a person doesn't have an attorney, it is absolutely necessary for them to appear in court. With representation, there is some breathing room for defendants. In some circumstances, an attorney can sit in for a defendant at a court date, while they handle their obligations outside of the courtroom. Besides being in the courtroom a lot less, defendants with an attorney have an increased chance of achieving a favorable case outcome.

If you have been charged with a DUI in Montgomery County aren't sure about your next course of action, read on. We'll shed light on the process, initial court appearances and other relevant information. For more information about your specific case or representation, contact our Criminal Law Team today.

Court Information

The “preliminary hearing” is the first court appearance for people charged with a DUI. It is a hearing that will determine the validity of the prosecution's evidence and will dictate whether or not it is necessary for a defendant to be put on trial. A preliminary hearing is typically scheduled within 30 days of an arrest, but dates may vary based on the circumstances. It will be conducted in the district where the alleged crime took place.

With the harsh repercussions that come with a missing court date, all defendants should be completely sure about when and where their court dates are scheduled. Reaching out to the district court, the clerk's office, or seeking an experienced attorney is the best way to confirm that your dates are correct.

Rescheduling Court Dates

With prior notice, and with the help of an experienced criminal defense attorney, defendants can reschedule their court dates in Montgomery County. A judge may feel compelled to grant a continuance based on multiple reasons, including attorney and client unavailability.

Arraignment - Filing a Plea

Following a preliminary hearing, the case will reach the arraignment state of the Court of Common Pleas level. If a defendant and attorney have agreed to plead “not guilty,” the matter will advance through the court. Ultimately, a case will generally be resolved by dismissal, a guilty plea, or a guilty verdict, and all cases will either be sent to trial or to a county diversionary program, like the Accelerated Rehabilitative Disposition (ARD) Program.

Montgomery County Criminal Defense Attorneys

Our Criminal Law Team has represented numerous clients who've acquired both misdemeanor and felony DUI charges in Montgomery County. We understand that every case calls for planning, strategizing, and attention to detail, so you should seek help immediately. Time is of the essence. If you've been charged with a DUI and are uncertain about what to do next, contact our Criminal Law Team today online or give us a call at 888-535-3686 at the earliest available opportunity for assistance.

Contact Us Today!

The LLF Law Firm Team has decades of experience successfully resolving clients' criminal charges in Philadelphia and the Pennsylvania counties. If you are having any uncertainties about what the future may hold for you or a loved one, contact the LLF Law Firm today! Our Criminal Defense Team will go above and beyond the needs of any client, and will fight until the final bell rings.

This website was created only for general information purposes. It is not intended to be construed as legal advice for any situation. Only a direct consultation with a licensed Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and New York attorney can provide you with formal legal counsel based on the unique details surrounding your situation. The pages on this website may contain links and contact information for third party organizations - the Lento Law Firm does not necessarily endorse these organizations nor the materials contained on their website. In Pennsylvania, Attorney Joseph D. Lento represents clients throughout Pennsylvania's 67 counties, including, but not limited to Philadelphia, Allegheny, Berks, Bucks, Carbon, Chester, Dauphin, Delaware, Lancaster, Lehigh, Monroe, Montgomery, Northampton, Schuylkill, and York County. In New Jersey, attorney Joseph D. Lento represents clients throughout New Jersey's 21 counties: Atlantic, Bergen, Burlington, Camden, Cape May, Cumberland, Essex, Gloucester, Hudson, Hunterdon, Mercer, Middlesex, Monmouth, Morris, Ocean, Passaic, Salem, Somerset, Sussex, Union, and Warren County, In New York, Attorney Joseph D. Lento represents clients throughout New York's 62 counties. Outside of Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and New York, unless attorney Joseph D. Lento is admitted pro hac vice if needed, his assistance may not constitute legal advice or the practice of law. The decision to hire an attorney in Philadelphia, the Pennsylvania counties, New Jersey, New York, or nationwide should not be made solely on the strength of an advertisement. We invite you to contact the Lento Law Firm directly to inquire about our specific qualifications and experience. Communicating with the Lento Law Firm by email, phone, or fax does not create an attorney-client relationship. The Lento Law Firm will serve as your official legal counsel upon a formal agreement from both parties. Any information sent to the Lento Law Firm before an attorney-client relationship is made is done on a non-confidential basis.

Menu