What to expect will depend a lot on what kind of charge is filed and what the level of offense is. Police do not always arrest you on the spot. But the court may still issue an arrest warrant before the first court date is scheduled. The prosecutor can also ask the court to issue a summons — a notice that charges have been filed and that you must appear in court. A summons may be delivered personally by law enforcement officers or it may arrive in the mail. If you have reason to believe that charges have been filed, or that they might be filed soon, talking with an experienced defense attorney is your best next step.
The best criminal defense attorneys insist on fair courtroom procedures that respect clients’ rights.