There is a standard for timely arraignments of defendants, is that delayed if a victim was not notified?
Implementing legislation may require law enforcement to inform victims of how the arraignment process operates in their jurisdiction and provide the clerk of court’s contact information for the victim to learn of the arraignment. This will provide the requisite notification of arraignment, thereby eliminating the likelihood of a delay. Because arraignment often involves victim safety when bond decisions and protection order decisions are made, every effort should be made to notify the victim of arraignment and allow the victim to be present and heard. However, release decisions that implicate defendants’ constitutional rights should proceed even in victim absence.