FIRST APPEARANCE IN COURT

A first appearance is usually a defendant's earliest contact with the court system after an arrest, and it moves fast -- often within a day or two of being taken into custody. At this hearing, the court typically informs the defendant of the charges, addresses bond, and confirms whether they have or need an attorney. It's a short hearing, but decisions made here, particularly around bond and legal representation, can shape how the rest of the case unfolds. Many people walk into a first appearance without knowing what to expect or what they're allowed to say, which can work against them later. Below, Roth Davies LLC answers the questions clients most often have about what happens at a first appearance in Johnson County and how to prepare for it.