§ 135.040 Right to counsel

If you show up in court to be arraigned (formally told what you're being charged with) and you don't have a lawyer, the judge has to stop and tell you something important. The judge must let you know that you have the right to talk to a lawyer before you're arraigned.

The judge also has to ask you directly if you want a lawyer's help. This means the court can't just rush through the process without checking in with you first. You get the chance to say yes, you want a lawyer, before anything else moves forward.

This rule exists to protect you. Being charged with a crime is serious, and the words used at an arraignment can affect your case. The court makes sure you know your rights and gives you the choice to get legal help before you're asked to respond to the charges against you.