Arraignment
Definition
The first step in criminal proceeding where the defendant is brought in front of the court to hear the charges and enter a plea.
Illustrative caselaw
See, e.g. County of Riverside v. McLaughlin 500 U.S. 44 (1991) and Godinez v. Moran, 509 U.S. 389 (1993).
See also
Definition from Nolo’s Plain-English Law Dictionary
A court appearance in which the defendant is formally charged with a crime and asked to respond by entering a plea. Other matters often handled at the arraignment are arranging for the appointment of a lawyer to represent the defendant and the setting of bail. (See also: plea)
Definition provided by Nolo’s Plain-English Law Dictionary.
August 19, 2010, 5:11 pm
