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

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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."