What happens at a DUI arraignment in Bedford County

If you have been arrested for a DUI in Bedford County, your first court appearance is the arraignment. This takes place at the Bedford County General District Court, located at 123 East Main Street, Suite 202, Bedford, VA 24523. At the arraignment, the judge will inform you of the formal charge under Virginia law—typically driving under the influence in violation of Va. Code § 18.2‑266. You will enter a plea: not guilty, guilty, or nolo contendere. If you plead not guilty, the court will set a date for a trial or preliminary hearing. Bail or bond conditions may be addressed, and if you do not yet have an attorney, the judge will ask whether you intend to hire one or seek court‑appointed counsel. An arraignment proceeds quickly, but what you say—or fail to say—can affect your case. Having an experienced DUI attorney by your side helps protect your rights from the very first hearing. Reach Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. at (888) 437‑7747 to discuss your Bedford County DUI matter. Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. – Advocacy Without Borders.

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Understanding the DUI Arraignment Process in Bedford County

In Virginia, a DUI arraignment is a formal proceeding that marks the start of the criminal case against you. Before you appear in court, you will have been arrested, taken into custody, and either released on bond or held until a magistrate sets bail. Bedford County General District Court handles all misdemeanor DUI cases, including first and second offenses. The courthouse sits within the Twenty‑fourth Judicial District and serves Bedford, Forest, Smith Mountain Lake, Moneta, and the surrounding communities.

When you walk into the courtroom, the clerk will call your case and the judge will read the charges against you. The Commonwealth’s Attorney represents the state and may indicate whether any plea negotiations have been discussed. This is not a trial—the court will not hear evidence or witness testimony. Instead, the arraignment serves three primary purposes: to confirm the defendant understands the charge, to allow a plea to be entered, and to set the schedule for the next phase of the case. If you have retained counsel, your attorney may request that the arraignment be waived and proceed directly to a trial date, but when you appear without counsel the court typically conducts the arraignment in full.

After the arraignment, the court will give you a date to return. For misdemeanor DUI cases, that is often a date for trial in the same court. Should you later decide to appeal a conviction from General District Court, you have the right to a new trial in the Bedford County Circuit Court. Because every step—including the arraignment—shapes the direction of your case, having an attorney who routinely appears before the Bedford County courts is essential.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a lawyer for a DUI arraignment in Bedford County?

You are not legally required to have a lawyer at a DUI arraignment, but an attorney can protect your rights from the very first hearing. At the arraignment, a judge may ask you questions about your financial status for bond or court‑appointed counsel. Any statement you make can be used later, even during trial. An experienced DUI defense attorney understands the local practices of the Bedford County General District Court and can handle the procedural steps—entering a plea, addressing bond, and setting trial dates—without exposing you to inadvertent self‑incrimination.

What happens after a DUI arrest in Bedford County?

After a DUI arrest, you are taken before a magistrate who determines whether you will be released on bond or held until your first court appearance. In many cases, you will be released on your own recognizance or on a secured bond with conditions that may include abstaining from alcohol and reporting to a pretrial services officer. You will then receive a summons to appear at the Bedford County General District Court for arraignment. The arrest also triggers an administrative license suspension if you either refused a breath or blood test or had a blood alcohol concentration of 0.08 or higher. You have a limited window to request a hearing to contest the administrative suspension, so acting quickly is important.

Can the charges be reduced at the arraignment in Bedford County?

Arraignment is not a hearing at which the judge reduces charges, but the Commonwealth’s Attorney may discuss a reduction before or at the arraignment. If your attorney has negotiated a reduction—for example, to reckless driving or a lesser traffic offense—the Commonwealth’s Attorney may move to amend the charge at the arraignment. The judge then proceeds on the amended charge. Without counsel, you are unlikely to know whether a reduction is possible or appropriate.

What plea should I enter at my DUI arraignment?

In nearly every DUI case, your attorney will advise you to enter a plea of not guilty at arraignment to preserve all legal options. A not‑guilty plea gives you time to review the evidence, investigate whether the traffic stop or breath test was valid, and negotiate with the Commonwealth’s Attorney. Pleading guilty at arraignment waives your right to a trial and to challenge the state’s evidence. Even if you believe you made a mistake, there may be defenses that a lawyer can spot—such as improper stop procedures, inaccurate testing, or violations of your rights.

How soon after the arraignment will my DUI trial be scheduled?

Trial dates are set by the court calendar, and the interval varies depending on the judge’s caseload and the complexity of the case. In the Bedford County General District Court, it is common for trials to be scheduled within a few weeks to a couple of months, but the court may also accommodate scheduling conflicts for attorneys and witnesses. Your attorney can file motions that may affect the schedule, and you need to be present on every date set by the court. Missing a court date can result in a new charge of failure to appear, a capias for your arrest, and an additional bond obligation.

What happens if I miss my arraignment in Bedford County?

If you miss your arraignment, the court will likely issue a capias for your arrest and you could face an additional charge of failure to appear. The bond you previously posted may be revoked, and a new bail amount will be set when the capias is executed. Contact an attorney immediately if you realize you have missed a court date. In some circumstances, an attorney can quash the capias and secure a new hearing date before additional complications arise.

What is the penalty for a first‑offense DUI in Virginia?

A first‑offense DUI in Virginia is a Class 1 misdemeanor, punishable by up to 12 months in jail, a fine of up to $2,500, and a 12‑month license suspension. Additional consequences may include completion of the Virginia Alcohol Safety Action Program (VASAP), installation of an ignition interlock device, and a permanent criminal record. The actual sentence depends on factors such as your blood alcohol concentration, whether an accident was involved, and your prior driving record.

Under Va. Code § 18.2‑270, a first‑offense DUI is a Class 1 misdemeanor, with a maximum of 12 months in jail, a fine of up to $2,500, and a 12‑month license suspension.

Source: Va. Code § 18.2‑270. Virginia Code § 18.2‑270

Reviewed by Mr. Sris, admitted in VA/MD/DC/NJ/NY.

Can I handle my license suspension at the arraignment?

No, the administrative license suspension is a separate civil process handled by the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles, not the criminal court. The General District Court arraignment addresses the criminal DUI charge, while the suspension for refusing a test or having a BAC of 0.08 or above is initiated immediately by the arresting officer. You must request an administrative hearing within the deadline stated on the officer’s notice—typically within a few days—or the suspension becomes automatic. A DUI attorney can assist with both the criminal case and the administrative suspension process.

What should I bring to my DUI arraignment?

Bring your summons or release paperwork, a form of identification, and any documents your attorney has asked you to gather. If you have not yet retained a lawyer, you should bring information about your income and expenses if you plan to request court‑appointed counsel. Do not bring weapons, prohibited items, or a cell phone that is not on silent. Arrive early to allow time for parking and to locate the courtroom at 123 East Main Street, Suite 202, Bedford, VA 24523. Dressing neatly and respectfully shows the court that you take the matter seriously.

How can a former state trooper help my DUI case?

An attorney who has served as a law enforcement officer understands police DUI investigation protocols—from the initial traffic stop to the administration of field sobriety and chemical tests. Bryan Block, Of Counsel with Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C., served 15 years as a Virginia State Trooper before becoming a lawyer. His firsthand knowledge of how DUI stops are conducted, how evidence is gathered, and where procedural errors can occur provides a practical advantage when evaluating the state’s case against you. Not every DUI arrest is beyond challenge; a careful review of the officer’s actions often reveals weaknesses that can be pursued in court.

Does a DUI conviction stay on my record forever in Virginia?

A DUI conviction in Virginia is permanent on your criminal record and cannot be expunged under current law. Unlike many other states, Virginia does not allow a convicted DUI to be sealed or expunged, even after many years. The conviction remains on your driving record for 11 years for DMV demerit‑point purposes, but the criminal conviction itself is permanent. This is one reason why it is critical to explore every defense and potential reduction with an attorney before accepting any plea.

About Mr. Sris and His Of Counsel Team

Mr. Sris, Owner and Founder of Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C., is a former prosecutor who has defended DUI cases across Virginia for more than 28 years. He works alongside Of Counsel attorneys who bring complementary backgrounds—including Bryan Block, a former Virginia State Trooper—to every traffic and DUI matter. Together, Mr. Sris and his Of Counsel bring over 120 years of combined legal experience and have achieved 4,739+ documented firm-wide results. Results may vary. Past outcomes do not guarantee a similar result

Reviewed by Mr. Sris, Owner and Founder
Admitted in Virginia, Maryland, the District of Columbia, New Jersey, and New York
Practicing since 1997

Last reviewed: June 2026

Attorney advertising. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome. Case results depend on a variety of factors unique to each case. Results may vary.