If the defendant pleads guilty, then the judge will set a date for sentencing. At the sentencing date, the judge will then impose the time period that the defendant will have to serve or whatever other form of punishment the judge deems appropriate. In other cases, particularly those that involve less serious and less violent crimes, the judge will go ahead and impose the sentence at the initial appearance.

• Does the defendant have to physically appear before a judge at the initial appearance and the arraignment?
• What else takes place at the arraignment?
• Can a person choose to waive or decline counsel and represent himself or herself?
• Why does a criminal defendant need an attorney?
• How do you qualify for a court-appointed attorney?
• Are all criminal defendants entitled to a court-appointed attorney?
• What is the right to counsel?
• Who was Gideon and who eventually was his appointed counsel?
• Who appoints an attorney for a criminal defendant?
• What is a bail bondsman?
• How does a court determine if bail is excessive?
• What factors do courts use to determine whether someone is entitled to bail and what amount?
• Are all persons charged with crimes entitled to bail?
• What are the purposes or reasons for bail?
• What is bail?
• Is there a difference between the initial appearance and the arraignment?
• After a person is booked, what happens next?
• Is a person entitled to an attorney during the booking process?
• When a person is arrested and taken into custody, what happens next?
• What warnings must the police give you when they arrest you and place you in custody?