What happens at a DUI arraignment in Stafford County

If you have been charged with driving under the influence in Stafford County, Virginia, the first court hearing you will attend is an arraignment. The arraignment is a procedural step where you appear before a judge at the Stafford County General District Court, located at 1300 Courthouse Road, Stafford, VA 22554. The judge will inform you of the charge against you—typically a violation of Va. Code § 18.2-266—and ask how you plead. This hearing is not a trial, but it sets important decisions in motion, including whether you will be released on personal recognizance, whether bail will be set, and the schedule for your next court date. Because a DUI charge carries the possibility of jail time, a fine, and a driver’s license suspension, how you handle the arraignment can affect the direction of your case. Mr. Sris and his Of Counsel team represent individuals at arraignments in Stafford County and throughout Northern Virginia. To discuss your arraignment or to request representation, reach our location at (888) 437-7747.
Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. – Advocacy Without Borders.

Last reviewed: July 2026

DUI Arraignments in Stafford County General District Court

In Stafford County, all DUI cases begin in the General District Court. The court sits within the Fifteenth Judicial District and handles misdemeanor-level criminal offenses, including first-offense DUI. At the arraignment, the judge will read the charge aloud or confirm that you have received a copy of the summons or indictment. You will then enter a plea: guilty, not guilty, or, in some cases, no contest. If you plead guilty, the judge may proceed to sentencing immediately or schedule a separate disposition hearing. If you plead not guilty, the court will set a date for a bench trial, often several weeks later, depending on the court’s calendar.

Before you enter a plea, the judge will also address bail or release conditions. The court determines release on recognizance or sets bail based on factors such as your ties to the community, employment, prior criminal history, and any perceived flight risk. For a first-offense DUI without aggravating factors, release on personal recognizance is common, but the judge has broad discretion. Your driver’s license status is not decided at arraignment; the suspension resulting from a DUI arrest is administrative and handled separately by the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles. However, the arraignment starts the clock on several rights you should exercise, including the right to counsel and the right to challenge the evidence against you.

How Mr. Sris and His Of Counsel Handle DUI Cases

When you engage Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C., we begin by reviewing every detail of your arrest and the evidence the Commonwealth intends to use against you. Because DUI prosecutions rely heavily on breath or blood test results and field sobriety tests, our team examines the stop, the administration of tests, and the maintenance of the testing equipment for any procedural errors or constitutional violations. We appear with you at the arraignment in Stafford County General District Court to assert your rights, argue for favorable release conditions, and lay the groundwork for a defense that could lead to a reduction of the charge, a dismissal, or a not-guilty verdict at trial.

We also help you understand the collateral consequences of a DUI charge. A conviction can affect your driver’s license, your auto insurance rates, and your employment, particularly if you hold a commercial driver’s license or require security clearance. Our team works with you to develop a comprehensive strategy that addresses both the immediate court proceeding and the long-term impact on your life. We are available to respond to questions and to guide you from the arraignment through the final resolution of your case.

About Mr. Sris and His Of Counsel Team

Mr. Sris, Owner and Founder of Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C., has practiced law since 1997 and is admitted in Virginia, Maryland, the District of Columbia, New Jersey, and New York. A former prosecutor, he brings firsthand insight into how the Commonwealth builds its DUI cases. With him, a dedicated group of Of Counsel attorneys—each having over a decade of practice experience—completes the team that handles DUI and traffic matters in Stafford County and across Northern Virginia. Mr. Sris and his Of Counsel bring extensive combined legal experience to DUI defense. Results may vary.

Our firm’s approach to DUI defense is informed by both prosecution and law enforcement perspectives. Members of our Of Counsel include a former Maryland Assistant State’s Attorney and a former Virginia State Trooper, allowing us to anticipate the tactics used by the arresting officer and the prosecutor. While we cannot promise a particular outcome, we commit to a rigorous review of your case, clear communication about every stage of the process, and strong advocacy on your behalf.

Frequently Asked Questions

What happens at a DUI arraignment in Stafford County?

At a DUI arraignment in Stafford County General District Court, the judge will inform you of the charge, ask for your plea, decide on release conditions, and schedule the next hearing. The proceeding generally lasts only a few minutes. You will enter a plea of guilty, not guilty, or no contest. If you plead not guilty, the court will set a trial date. The judge also determines whether you will be released on recognizance or whether bail is required. Your driver’s license is not suspended at the arraignment; that is an administrative process handled by the Virginia DMV. Having counsel present can help you navigate the plea and bail decisions and protect your rights.

Do I need a lawyer for my DUI arraignment in Stafford County?

You are not legally required to have a lawyer at your DUI arraignment, but it is strongly advisable to have one. The decisions made at arraignment—the plea entered and the arguments made about bail—can affect the rest of your case. An experienced DUI defense attorney can enter a not-guilty plea on your behalf, argue for release without financial conditions, and begin challenging the prosecution’s evidence immediately. Without a lawyer, you risk making statements that could be used against you later. Mr. Sris and his Of Counsel appear regularly at the Stafford County General District Court and can represent you from the very first hearing.

What happens if I plead not guilty at the arraignment?

If you plead not guilty at your DUI arraignment, the judge will schedule a trial date, usually several weeks later, and the case proceeds to the discovery and trial preparation phase. The Commonwealth must disclose its evidence, including breath‑test results, dash‑camera footage, and officer testimony. Your attorney can file motions to suppress evidence or to exclude certain testimony. Between the arraignment and the trial, your attorney may also negotiate with the prosecutor for a reduction of the charge—for example, from DUI to reckless driving—if the evidence is weak or constitutional issues exist. Entering a not-guilty plea at arraignment preserves all of your options.

Can the judge set bail at the arraignment?

Yes, the judge sets or reviews bail conditions at the arraignment in Stafford County General District Court. For a first‑offense DUI without aggravating factors, many defendants are released on their own recognizance. However, the judge may impose a secured bond, require pretrial supervision, or order alcohol monitoring if the officer’s report indicates a very high blood‑alcohol concentration, an accident, or a prior record. Your attorney can present arguments about your ties to the community, employment, and lack of prior failures to appear to support a low bond or release without bail.

Will my driver’s license be suspended at the arraignment?

No, your driver’s license is not suspended at the arraignment; the administrative license suspension is a separate process handled by the Virginia DMV. After a DUI arrest, you have a limited window—typically seven days—to request an administrative hearing to contest the suspension. The suspension itself takes effect before the criminal case concludes unless you successfully challenge it. The arraignment does not decide that issue, but your attorney can explain how the administrative suspension interacts with the criminal charge and whether you are eligible for a restricted license while the case is pending.

For information on traffic-related legal representation in nearby Virginia jurisdictions, please see our pages on
Fairfax County traffic lawyer,
Prince William County traffic lawyer, and
Loudoun County traffic lawyer.

For the official text of Virginia’s DUI statutes, visit the Virginia Legislative Information System at
Va. Code § 18.2-266
and
Va. Code § 18.2-270. Information about the Stafford County General District Court can be found on the Virginia Courts website at
www.vacourts.gov.

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