Steve Mellon, Post-Gazette After a night in an Allegheny County Jail holding cell, shackled prisoners are led into Municipal Court to be arraigned before a judge.

You're awakened by a jail guard yelling your last name.

		Video: After arrest, on to arraignment See what happens after arrest in a video tour guided by Capt. Donna J. Best of the Allegheny County Sheriff's Office What do you think? Please send your comments on this series, for possible posting on a Readers Forum page, to postscript@post-gazette.com. Be sure to include your full name and hometown.

At best, you slept an hour or two last night on a metal bench in a communal, single-sex holding tank at the Allegheny County Jail. You ended up here after a team of sheriff's deputies tracked you down on a bench warrant. They banged at the door and you barely had time to grab a coat and tell your family where you were headed. Now, it's your turn for more bad news. They're supposed to tell you what crimes you're accused of committing. Chances are, by now you already know.

The guard says, "Get up. The judge is ready." He snaps on leg irons and handcuffs and leads you and a ragged-looking crowd of other recently arrested jail mates down a corridor and into the back side of the Municipal Court building. The holding cell here is not much different from the one you just left in the jail, except it's smaller and smellier.

You have no right to an attorney at your arraignment, the sheriff's captain says. You're just being notified of the charges against you. A bail agent has been through your file and made a recommendation. How much will it cost to get the hell out of here?

After a short wait, the judge summons you. The deputies march you into a tiny courtroom two at a time. If the guy in the robe grants bond and you've got the money, officials will unshackle you and release you directly through the courtroom's iron gates, and out onto the street.

The judge addresses you politely by your last name. It's Ms. or Mr. Suspect with this guy. He tells you the charges, says from here on you have a right to an attorney, if you can't afford one, blah, blah. He gives you a hearing date sometime next week. He also lays on a hefty bond.

Next, the sheriff's deputies march you back to the holding area at the jail. You have a couple of hours to make a call and come up with the cash. If not, you're gonna relinquish your remaining worldly possessions. They'll delouse you, wash you down, issue you a jail uniform, a towel and a bedroll and lead you upstairs to your new home.

Experience what it's like to get arrested, go to jail, face charges, and, finally, get your day in court by viewing the multimedia components of this report.