Arraignment

The Initial Court Appearance is commonly referred to as an arraignment. This is the formal process where you are notified of the charges filed against you, and you may enter a plea for each case. The plea you enter will determine the next steps in the legal process.

Can You Avoid a Court Appearance?

Yes, in some cases, you may avoid appearing in court by handling your situation online or through other available options. For more details, visit the Respond to a Citation webpage.  

Arraignment Date and Time

The arraignment date is listed near the bottom of your citation. The court holds arraignment hearings on Tuesday through Friday mornings at 9:00 AM. There are no arraignments on Mondays. Please note the following details:

  • Court Check-in: 8:00 AM - 8:30 AM
  • Location: 1200 Hwy 6 S., Sugar Land, TX 77478 

Special Notice for Juveniles

This process does not apply to juveniles. If you are under 17 years old, there are specific appearance requirements. Please refer to the Juveniles information page for details.

Arraignment Process

  1. Check-in: Arraignments are held from Tuesday to Friday at 9:00 AM. Check-in takes place between 8:00 AM and 8:30 AM.
  2. Order of Appearance: Defendants will be seen in the order they check-in.
  3. Finalization: Depending on the agreement made with the court, you may be expected to pay any fines assessed or finalize your case at the court's window. 

Courtroom Rules

  • Weapons: Weapons are strictly prohibited on the premises.
  • Personal Belongings: Purses, backpacks, and similar items are not allowed. You may bring essential items such as:
    • Wallet
    • Medication
    • Driver’s license
    • Insurance card
    • Vehicle registration
  • Appropriate Attire: Proper dress is required. You must follow the court’s dress code:
    • No shorts, flip-flops, or sweatpants
    • No tank tops, halter tops, or t-shirts with inappropriate language
    • No Hats of any kind
    • Bare feet
    • No excessively informal attire

Failure to comply with the dress code may result in:

  • Your court appearance being rescheduled
  • A charge of contempt of court
  • Denied entry into the courtroom

To further review the court's policies please visit our court's policies webpage.