After Initial Appearance your first court date will be the Arraignment. At arraignment, the client is read the charge, enters a plea of not guilty, demands a jury trial, and requests the government hand over its evidence.

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Arraignment is a short court proceeding where your attorney says just a few words. The client is usually not asked to say anything. These types of hearings are handled by a federal magistrate judge. After the defendant has been “arraigned,” the case will be handled by a district court judge randomly assigned to the case, and a trial date will be set.