What Happens at an Arraignment in Washington State?

What Is an Arraignment and Why Does It Matter?

An arraignment is your first formal appearance before a judge after criminal charges have been filed. It is not a trial, and no evidence is presented. Think of it as the official starting gun for your case in the Washington court system. The hearing accomplishes three things: you are informed of the exact charges against you, you enter an initial plea, and the court addresses whether you will remain free while your case moves forward and under what conditions.

Many people underestimate how consequential this short hearing can be. The plea you enter, the release conditions imposed, and any no-contact orders issued at arraignment stay with you until your case resolves — sometimes for months. Going in without an attorney, or without understanding what is about to happen, can put you at an immediate disadvantage.

When Does an Arraignment Happen in Spokane?

The timing depends on whether you are in custody or have been released.

• In custody: Washington court rules require that you be arraigned without unnecessary delay. In practice at Spokane County Superior Court, in-custody defendants are typically arraigned within a few days of their arrest and first appearance. District and municipal courts handling misdemeanors follow similar timelines.
• Out of custody: If you were cited and released, or posted bail before charges were formally filed, the court will mail or serve you a summons with a scheduled arraignment date. Missing that date can result in a bench warrant for your arrest.

In our experience, clients are sometimes surprised that arraignment comes quickly — often before they have had a real chance to hire an attorney and get advice. If you have been arrested or received a court date, reach out to a Spokane criminal defense attorney as soon as possible so you are not walking into that courtroom alone.

What Actually Happens During the Hearing?

The sequence at arraignment in Washington is fairly predictable:

• Reading of the charges: The judge or court clerk reads the information — the formal document listing every charge the prosecutor has filed against you. You have the right to have the charges read aloud, though your attorney can waive the formal reading if you already have a copy.
• Entry of plea: You enter a plea of guilty, not guilty, or — in limited situations — not guilty by reason of insanity. The overwhelming majority of defendants plead not guilty at arraignment. This preserves all of your options and gives your attorney time to review the evidence, negotiate, or build a defense. Pleading guilty at arraignment, without a negotiated agreement in place, is almost never in your interest.
• Bail and release conditions: The judge reviews the conditions of your release. This can include setting or modifying bail, ordering you to have no contact with alleged victims or witnesses, restricting travel, or requiring check-ins with pretrial services. The prosecutor may argue for stricter conditions; your attorney can argue for reasonable ones.
• Scheduling: The court sets future hearing dates — typically a pre-trial conference or readiness hearing — and your case moves forward on the docket.

Should You Plead Guilty at Arraignment?

Almost never, and here is why. At the arraignment stage, your attorney has not yet received full discovery — the police reports, body camera footage, lab results, witness statements, and other evidence the prosecution intends to use. Without reviewing that material, neither you nor your attorney can make an informed decision about the strength of the case against you.

Pleading not guilty at arraignment is not an admission of anything and does not prevent you from reaching a plea agreement later. It simply keeps your options open while the case is properly investigated. In our experience, cases that look overwhelming at first appearance often look very different once we have gone through the evidence carefully.

What About No-Contact Orders?

In domestic violence cases, the court is required by Washington law to address no-contact orders at arraignment. A no-contact order can prohibit you from returning to your own home, contacting your spouse or partner, or seeing your children — sometimes before any facts have been tested in court. Violating a no-contact order is itself a criminal offense, so understanding exactly what the order requires is essential. Your attorney can request modifications when the circumstances warrant it.

Does the Type of Court Change Anything?

Yes, in practical terms. Felonies are handled in Spokane County Superior Court. Gross misdemeanors and misdemeanors are typically handled in Spokane County District Court or, if the offense occurred within city limits, Spokane Municipal Court. The procedures are similar, but the stakes are higher in Superior Court, the timelines can be longer, and the consequences of a conviction are more severe. If your charges could involve significant jail time, prison, or a lasting mark on your record, the importance of having counsel from day one cannot be overstated.

What Should You Bring and How Should You Act?

• Dress professionally. First impressions matter to judges.
• Arrive early. Spokane County courtrooms move quickly, and missing your call can result in a warrant.
• Bring any paperwork you received — your summons, bail receipt, or release conditions paperwork.
• Let your attorney do the talking. Do not volunteer information to the prosecutor, court staff, or anyone else in the courtroom.
• If you are facing a DUI charge alongside other offenses, be aware that the criminal court process and the DOL license hearing are separate proceedings with their own deadlines — you can learn more in our article on what happens if you get a DUI in Washington State.

The Bottom Line

An arraignment is brief, but what happens there matters. Your plea, your release conditions, and any protective orders put in place that day set the tone for everything that follows. Washington’s criminal court system moves on its own schedule — the best thing you can do is get experienced legal help before you walk through that courthouse door.

This article is general information about Washington criminal court procedure and is not legal advice for your specific situation. Contact our office to discuss the facts of your case.

Key takeaways

• At arraignment you hear the formal charges, enter a plea, and the court sets your release conditions — it is not a trial.
• Pleading not guilty at arraignment is standard practice and preserves all your legal options while your attorney reviews the evidence.
• In Spokane County, in-custody defendants are typically arraigned within a few days of arrest; missing a scheduled arraignment date can result in a bench warrant.
• In domestic violence cases, no-contact orders are addressed at arraignment and must be followed strictly — violations are a separate crime.
• Having an attorney at your arraignment is critical; the decisions made that day affect the entire trajectory of your case.

Frequently asked questions

Helpful resources

• Washington Courts — Criminal Case Process Overview
• Spokane County Superior Court
• Washington Criminal Rules (CrR) — Washington State Legislature
• Schwab Law, P.L.L.C. — Spokane Criminal Defense Attorney

By Jason Chenette Jr., Criminal Defense Attorney · July 31, 2026 · Reviewed by the attorneys at Schwab Law, P.L.L.C.