What happens at a DUI arraignment in Falls Church

You were driving through Falls Church on Route 7 or near the West Falls Church Metro when blue lights appeared behind you. An officer said you failed a field sobriety test, took you to the station for a breath test, and now you have a summons directing you to Falls Church General District Court. The document says arraignment—and that single word can feel overwhelming when you have never been through the criminal process before. An arraignment is not a trial. It is a procedural first step, but the decisions made at that hearing can affect everything that follows. Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C., founded in 1997, represents drivers facing DUI charges in Falls Church. Reach our location at (888) 437-7747 to speak with Mr. Sris and his Of Counsel before your court date.
Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. – Advocacy Without Borders.

Strategy options before you walk into the courtroom

A DUI charge under Va. Code § 18.2-266 is a Class 1 misdemeanor for a first offense. Even before the arraignment, your attorney can begin evaluating the state’s evidence—the breath-test calibration records, the officer’s probable-cause affidavit, any video from the stop—and identify issues that could lead to a reduction or dismissal. In Falls Church General District Court, the Commonwealth’s Attorney may agree to amend a first-offense DUI to reckless driving or another disposition depending on the strength of the evidence and your driving record. Mr. Sris and his Of Counsel handle these cases strategically, using the arraignment period to set the stage for a thorough defense rather than just entering a plea and waiting.

What to expect at the Falls Church General District Court arraignment

Arraignments for DUI charges take place at 300 Park Avenue, Suite 151W, Falls Church, VA 22046. The judge calls the docket, reads the charge against you, and asks how you plead. You will be asked to enter a plea of guilty, not guilty, or nolo contendere (no contest). Unless your attorney has already negotiated a specific resolution, the standard entry is not guilty, preserving your right to challenge the breath test, field sobriety evidence, and any other aspect of the stop. The court also addresses bail and release conditions—including any requirement to enroll in the Virginia Alcohol Safety Action Program (VASAP)—and sets a date for the next hearing, typically a pre-trial conference or trial date. Because Virginia DUI cases can involve jail time, license suspension, and mandatory fines, Mr. Sris and his Of Counsel attend these hearings prepared to argue for the most favorable terms possible under the circumstances.

Penalty overview: what a DUI conviction means in Virginia

A first-offense DUI under Va. Code § 18.2-270 carries up to 12 months in jail, a fine of at least $250 and up to $2,500, and a 12-month license suspension. If your blood alcohol concentration was 0.15 or above, a mandatory minimum of five days in jail applies. The Virginia DMV will assess six demerit points on your driving record, and you will be required to complete VASAP before your license can be reinstated. A DUI conviction also creates a permanent criminal record. For commercial driver’s license holders, the consequences are even more severe—a first-offense DUI results in a one-year CDL disqualification regardless of whether you were driving a commercial vehicle at the time. Mr. Sris and his Of Counsel work to pursue resolutions that limit these collateral consequences whenever the evidence and court practice allow. Results may vary.

Attorney credentials: experienced DUI representation in Falls Church

Mr. Sris, Owner and Founder of Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C., has practiced since 1997. A former prosecutor, he understands how the Commonwealth builds a DUI case and where those cases are vulnerable. His Of Counsel team includes attorneys with backgrounds as former prosecutors and as a former Virginia State Trooper—professionals who know police DUI investigation protocols, field sobriety testing standards, and breath-test machine calibration requirements from the enforcement side. Over 120 years of combined legal experience between Mr. Sris and his Of Counsel informs every DUI defense the firm handles, with 4,739+ documented firm-wide results across traffic and criminal matters. Results may vary.

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Last reviewed: June 2026

Frequently asked questions about DUI arraignments in Falls Church

Do I have to appear in person for my DUI arraignment in Falls Church?

Yes, you must appear in person at Falls Church General District Court for a DUI arraignment because DUI is a criminal misdemeanor charge, not a prepayable traffic infraction. The court requires your physical presence unless your attorney has arranged for a waiver in advance. Failure to appear can result in a bench warrant being issued for your arrest. If transportation is a concern, contact your attorney early to discuss options.

What plea should I enter at the arraignment?

It is almost always advisable to enter a plea of not guilty at the arraignment, preserving your right to challenge the breath test, field sobriety evidence, and the legality of the traffic stop. An experienced DUI attorney can later negotiate a disposition or prepare the case for trial, but entering a guilty plea at arraignment waives valuable procedural rights. Mr. Sris and his Of Counsel recommend consulting with counsel before making any plea decision.

Can I be released on bail at the arraignment?

Most first-offense DUI defendants are released on personal recognizance or a modest cash bond at the Falls Church arraignment, unless there are aggravating factors such as a prior record or an accident involving injury. The judge will consider your ties to the community, employment, and any flight risk. Your attorney can present arguments for release on the most favorable terms, which is especially important if you need to return to work or family obligations immediately.

How long will the arraignment take, and what happens next?

An arraignment typically lasts only a few minutes once your case is called, but you may spend several hours waiting in the courtroom depending on the docket size. After the plea and bail determination, the court schedules the next hearing date—often a pre-trial conference or trial setting several weeks out. Your attorney will use the time between hearings to obtain discovery, file motions, and negotiate with the Commonwealth’s Attorney.

Will the judge ask me questions about the DUI stop at the arraignment?

No, the arraignment is not the time to tell your side of the story or explain what happened during the traffic stop. The judge will only ask whether you understand the charge and how you plead. Anything you say in court can be used against you, so you should not discuss the facts of the stop at the arraignment unless your attorney has specifically advised you to do so.

What should I bring to my DUI arraignment in Falls Church?

Bring the summons or bond paperwork, a government-issued photo ID, and any documents your attorney has asked you to provide. If you have already completed a Virginia driver improvement clinic or begun VASAP enrollment voluntarily, bring the certificate. Dress respectfully—business attire is appropriate—and arrive early enough to find parking and go through courthouse security at 300 Park Avenue.

Will the arraignment judge suspend my driver’s license immediately?

License suspension does not occur at the arraignment itself; it happens administratively after a conviction or as a result of a DMV revocation for a breath-test refusal. However, the court may impose conditions on your release that restrict driving, such as ordering that you not operate a vehicle unless it is equipped with an ignition interlock device. Your attorney can explain whether these conditions apply in your case.

Can I get a continuance at the arraignment if I need more time to hire an attorney?

Yes, Falls Church General District Court judges routinely grant a short continuance for a defendant to retain counsel, especially for a first-offense DUI. You should inform the judge that you wish to hire an attorney and ask for a continuance. Once retained, your attorney can file an appearance and handle all further proceedings. Do not attempt to represent yourself at an arraignment simply because you have not yet found a lawyer.

What if I missed my arraignment date?

If you missed your arraignment, contact Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. Immediately—a bench warrant may have been issued, and you need counsel to address the failure to appear before the situation worsens. The firm can contact the court to recall the warrant, file a motion to set aside the default, and reschedule the arraignment. Acting quickly is critical; the longer you wait, the harder it becomes to resolve.

How can a DUI attorney help before the arraignment even happens?

Retaining counsel before the arraignment gives your attorney time to obtain the police report, review the breath-test machine calibration records, and discuss the case with the prosecutor, potentially resolving the charge or reducing it at the very first hearing. Mr. Sris and his Of Counsel use the pre-arraignment period to build a defense strategy rather than reacting to a proceeding that is already underway. Contact the firm at (888) 437-7747 to schedule a consultation as soon as possible after an arrest.

Request a consultation about your Falls Church DUI case

If you have an upcoming arraignment at Falls Church General District Court, contact Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. at (888) 437-7747. Mr. Sris and his Of Counsel team handle DUI defense across Virginia, Maryland, the District of Columbia, New Jersey, and New York. The firm’s Fairfax location at 4008 Williamsburg Court, Fairfax, VA 22032 serves clients at the Falls Church courts. By appointment. Call to schedule.

Related traffic defense pages:
Fairfax County traffic defense ·
Fairfax City traffic defense ·
Prince William County traffic defense ·
Manassas City traffic defense ·
Manassas Park traffic defense

Official Virginia legal resources:
Virginia Code Title 18.2 — Crimes and Offenses Generally ·
Falls Church General District Court ·
Virginia Judicial System

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