If you are expected to appear in Magisterial District Court after a DUI arrest in Montgomery County, time is of the essence. The sooner you hire a Montgomery County DUI lawyer to protect your interests, the easier it may be to minimize the penalties you face or even avoid a conviction all together.
Cases the Montgomery County Magisterial District Court Handles
The Montgomery County Magisterial District Court is responsible for many cases involving traffic offenses, including most DUI cases. If you have been charged with driving under the influence or a similar offense, your case will more than likely end up before a judge in this court.
The Magisterial District Court is the lowest-level court in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, but that does not mean the charges against you are not serious or that you can afford to ignore them. Any criminal charge has the potential to disrupt your life, upset your relationships, and cause financial instability. You will want to act as soon as possible.
Should You Hire a Lawyer When You Are Ordered to Appear in Court?
If you have not already retained legal counsel by the time you are summoned to court, then yes, you will want to speak to a lawyer immediately. However, you do not have to wait that long to get legal advice.
Immediately after your arrest, it is in your best interests to tell the arresting officer that you are invoking your right to remain silent and your right to an attorney. You may reach out to our law firm at that point.
What Is it Like Appearing in Magisterial District Court?
Your first appearance in Magisterial District Court will be at the preliminary arraignment hearing, where the charges against you are formalized and bail is set. This is followed by an arraignment hearing, where you will get to enter your plea (guilty, not guilty, or no contest).
Next is the preliminary hearing. This is when the judge decides whether or not there is enough evidence against you to proceed with the case. If we can prove that the prosecution’s case is weak, we might be able to get the charges against you dropped, and you would not have to make any more court appearances.
If the case against you is allowed to proceed, and if the prosecution is not open to offering a plea deal that you are interested in accepting, we will start building a strong defense to present during the trial.
Presenting Your Case at Trial in Magisterial District Court
The trial is your chance to explain to the judge and jury what really happened and why you should be found not guilty or given the lightest possible penalties. You are allowed to have your lawyer present your case on your behalf. In fact, it is often better to leave most of the talking to someone who:
- Has handled DUI cases before
- Is familiar with the rules, procedures, and expectations of Magisterial District Court
- Can tell if and when the prosecution tries to infringe on your rights and act quickly to protect you
Even if your lawyer is the one presenting your case, it is still important for you to show up and, if you are going to testify, to answer all questions honestly. We can prepare you to testify as necessary.
Is it Necessary for You to Appear in Magisterial District Court?
You must appear when ordered by this or any other court. Failure to appear could prompt the judge to issue a bench warrant for your arrest and add additional charges to your case.
The Magisterial District Court for Montgomery County is located in Norristown. No matter where in the county you were arrested or where you live, this is the court that has jurisdiction over your case and where you must make all appearances. In some situations, you may be able to attend virtually while your lawyer attends in person.
If you have any concerns about being able to attend a hearing or meeting—for example, your driver’s license was suspended and you have no other means of transportation—inform your lawyer. It is important to address any potential conflicts immediately.
How Can You Prepare for Your Court Appearance After a DUI?
It is very important that you make a good impression on the judge by proving that you are taking your case seriously and that, if applicable, you are committed to changing your behavior for the better. You can do this by:
- Arriving on time to all court appearances
- Appearing clean and neat
- Staying calm and polite throughout the appearance
- Consulting your lawyer ahead of time about what you should and should not say or do
- Informing the court ahead of time if you will be unable to appear as ordered
Our law firm can tell you what the court considers to be a legitimate reason for missing a court date and help you reschedule as necessary.
What You Should Say to the Magisterial District Court Judge
If you have hired a legal representative, they can do all or most of the talking on your behalf. You would simply be required to put in an appearance and to answer any questions addressed directly to you by your lawyer, the prosecuting attorney, or the judge. Your lawyer can prepare you for likely questions.
This is why the most important thing you can do for yourself after a DUI arrest is to hire a criminal defense attorney who has prior experience with DUI cases. We can inform you about what to expect at each court appearance and answer whatever questions you have about the legal system.
Our DUI Attorney Is Taking Montgomery County Clients Now
McKenzie Law Firm, P.C., provides comprehensive support to clients both in and out of the courtroom. After a DUI arrest, call our defense lawyer for more information about your rights and how the Montgomery County Magisterial District Court system works. We are committed to getting you back to your normal life as soon as possible.
