Rule 30. ARRAIGNMENT · Last amended 1997 · Last verified July 17, 2026
In one sentenceRule 30.2 requires the court to ask whether the accused has counsel before arraignment and appoint counsel immediately if the defendant is indigent and wants one, then requires a plea at the call of the case, and locks in the attorney who appears at arraignment as trial counsel absent a later substitution.
Full Text of Rule 30.2
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Before arraignment the court shall inquire whether the accused is represented by counsel and, if not, inquire into the defendant’s desires and financial circumstances. If the defendant desires an attorney and is indigent, the court shall authorize the immediate appointment of counsel.
Upon the call of a case for arraignment, unless continued for good cause, the accused, or the attorney for the accused, shall answer whether the accused pleads "guilty," "not guilty" or desires to enter a plea of nolo contendere to the offense or offenses charged; a plea of not guilty shall constitute the joining of the issue.
Upon arraignment, the attorney, if any, who announces for or on behalf of an accused, or who is entered as counsel of record, shall represent the accused in that case throughout the trial, unless other counsel and the defendant notify the judge prior to trial that such other counsel represents the accused and is ready to proceed, or counsel is otherwise relieved by the judge.
Plain-English Summary
Rule 30.2 covers the moment arraignment happens. Before anything else, the court checks whether the accused has a lawyer. If not, the judge asks about the defendant’s wishes and finances, and if the defendant wants a lawyer and qualifies as indigent, the court authorizes appointment on the spot.
Then comes the plea. When the case is called, unless it is continued for good cause, the accused or their attorney answers guilty, not guilty, or states a desire to enter a plea of nolo contendere. A not guilty plea joins the issue — the formal starting point for the case moving toward trial.
The rule also answers a question that comes up constantly in practice: who stays on the case? Whichever attorney announces for the accused at arraignment, or gets entered as counsel of record, represents that defendant through trial. That assignment sticks unless a different attorney and the defendant tell the judge before trial that the new attorney is taking over and ready to proceed, or the judge relieves the original attorney some other way.
Frequently Asked Questions
What must the court check before arraignment proceeds?
The court must inquire whether the accused is represented by counsel and, if not, inquire into the defendant’s desires and financial circumstances.
What happens if the defendant wants an attorney and is indigent?
The court shall authorize the immediate appointment of counsel.
What options does the accused have when the case is called for arraignment?
Unless the case is continued for good cause, the accused or the accused’s attorney must answer whether the accused pleads guilty, not guilty, or desires to enter a plea of nolo contendere.
What does a plea of not guilty accomplish?
A plea of not guilty constitutes the joining of the issue.
Does the attorney who appears at arraignment automatically stay on the case through trial?
Yes, unless another attorney and the defendant notify the judge before trial that the new counsel represents the accused and is ready to proceed, or the judge otherwise relieves the original counsel.
Amendment History
Amended effective October 9, 1997.
Source & verification. Rule text and amendment history are
reproduced verbatim from the Uniform Superior Court Rules, published by the
Council of Superior Court Judges of Georgia. Last verified July 17, 2026.
· Official source
Also known as:arraignment plea options GeorgiaUSCR Rule 30.2entering a plea at arraignmentcounsel of record arraignment Georgiaappointment of counsel at arraignment