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Courtroom speaker reads defendants' rights and begins arraignments in Washington court
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Summary
An unidentified courtroom speaker read defendants' constitutional and statutory rights — including the right to remain silent, the right to counsel (and appointment if indigent), trial and appeal rights, witness procedures, and potential immigration and firearms consequences — and announced arraignments would begin.
An unidentified courtroom speaker read a full advisement of rights to defendants and announced the start of arraignments in a State of Washington court. The advisement covered the right to remain silent, the right to counsel, trial and appeal rights, and possible immigration and firearms consequences.
The speaker told those present, "You have a right to remain silent," and emphasized that "communications between you and your lawyer" are privileged and generally cannot be disclosed without consent or a law requiring disclosure. The speaker also said, "You have a right to a lawyer now and at all court hearings going forward in this matter," and that "if you cannot afford a lawyer, an attorney will be appointed to assist you."
The advisement included procedural protections and burdens: the prosecution must prove each element of the charged crimes "beyond a reasonable doubt," and defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty or until they enter a plea. The speaker summarized other trial rights, including a jury trial and a speedy trial, and advised that defendants have the right to call witnesses and question adverse witnesses; the court or state will assist in securing witnesses if necessary.
The speaker warned defendants that court proceedings may have collateral consequences. "If you are not a citizen of The United States of America, you may be subject to deportation," the speaker said, and added that outcomes could affect "the ability to own and possess firearms and other weapons" and impose restrictions on contact or locations during the case. Those risks, the speaker said, should be discussed with counsel.
The advisement concluded with a reminder that recording devices were active in the courtroom and a statement that the court would proceed to arraign the cases scheduled. The court then moved on to address each case set for arraignment.
