Arraignment
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| Criminal procedure |
| Investigating and charging crimes |
| Criminal investigation |
| Arrest warrant Search warrant Probable cause Knock-and-announce Exigent circumstance Reasonable suspicion Search and seizure Search of persons Arrest · Detention Right to silence Miranda warning Grand jury |
| Criminal prosecution |
| Statute of limitations Nolle prosequi Bill of attainder Ex post facto law Criminal jurisdiction Extradition Habeas corpus · Bail Inquisitorial system Adversarial system |
| Charges and pleas |
| Arraignment · Information Indictment Plea · Peremptory plea Nolo contendere Plea bargain Presentence Investigation |
| Related areas |
| Criminal defenses Criminal law · Evidence Civil procedure |
| Portals |
| Law · Criminal justice |
Arraignment is a formal reading of a criminal complaint in the presence of the defendant to inform him of the charges against him. In response to arraignment, the accused is expected to enter a plea. Acceptable pleas vary among jurisdictions, but they generally include "guilty", "not guilty", and the peremptory pleas (or pleas in bar) setting out reasons why a trial cannot proceed. Pleas of "nolo contendere" (no contest) and the "Alford plea" are allowed in some circumstances.
In England, Wales, and Northern Ireland, arraignment is the first of eleven stages in a criminal trial, and involves the clerk of the court reading out the indictment. The defendant is asked whether he or she pleads guilty or not guilty to each individual charge.
[edit] Guilty and not guilty pleas
If the defendant pleads guilty, an evidentiary hearing usually follows. The court is not required to accept a guilty plea. During the hearing, the judge will assess the offense, mitigating factors, and the defendant's character, and pass sentence. If the defendant pleads not guilty, a date will be set for a preliminary hearing or a trial.
In the past, a defendant who refused to plead (or "stood mute") would be subject to peine forte et dure (Law French for "strong and hard punishment"). Today in common law jurisdictions, defendants who refuse to enter a plea will have a plea of not guilty entered for them on their behalf.
[edit] Federal rules of criminal procedure
Under the federal rules of criminal procedure, "arraignment shall...[consist of an] open...reading [of] the indictment...to the defendant...and calling on him to plead thereto. He shall be given a copy of the indictment...before he is called upon to plead."

