Definition

Noun: 1. A formal reading of a criminal charging document in the presence of the defendant, to which they must enter a plea (e.g., guilty or not guilty). It is a court proceeding that formally notifies a defendant of the charges against them and records their response. 2. The act or legal process of arraigning. This refers to the overall procedure of bringing an accused person before a court.

Usage

The term is used primarily in legal and judicial contexts. It is a specific stage in criminal proceedings that follows the filing of charges (indictment or information) and precedes the trial. The word describes both the event itself and the legal concept.

Examples

• The judge scheduled the arraignment for next Tuesday.
• At his arraignment, the defendant pleaded not guilty to all charges.
• The arraignment process ensures the accused understands the charges they face.

Advanced Usage

• To be held for arraignment: To be detained by authorities until the formal court proceeding can occur.
  • The suspect was arrested and held for arraignment.
• Waiver of arraignment: A legal procedure where a defendant formally gives up the right to have the charges read in open court, often by submitting a written plea.
  • The defendant's attorney filed a waiver of arraignment.

Variants and Related Words

• Arraign (verb): To bring (someone) before a court to answer a criminal charge.
  • The prosecutor will arraign the suspect tomorrow.
• Arraignable (adjective): Capable of being arraigned.

Synonyms

• Indictment (though this specifically refers to the formal charging document, not the court proceeding).
• Charging (in a general sense).
• Accusation (a more general term).

Antonyms

• Acquittal (a formal judgment of not guilty).
• Exoneration (the act of absolving from blame).
• Dismissal (the termination of a case before a plea is entered).

Related Phrases

• Plead at arraignment: The act of formally stating one's response (guilty, not guilty, no contest) to the charges during the arraignment.
  • The accused must plead at arraignment.
• Postponement of arraignment: A delay granted by the court for the arraignment proceeding.
  • The defense requested a postponement of the arraignment.

Noun

1. a legal document calling someone to court to answer an indictment