“Arraignment”

This page shows official legal definitions of “Arraignment” from courts and ministries of justice in multiple countries. Definitions are listed in order of reading level to help with both basic understanding and deeper context.

Jurisdiction: United States United States

A proceeding in which a criminal defendant is brought into court, told of the charges in an indictment or information, and asked to plead guilty or not guilty.

Source: Glossary of Legal Terms, United States Courts
Jurisdiction: United Kingdom United Kingdom

The formal process of putting charges to the defendant in the Crown Court which consists of three parts: (1) calling the defendant by name, (2) putting the charges by reading from the indictment and (3) asking whether the defendant pleads guilty or not guilty.

Source: Criminal Procedure Rules Glossary, The National Archives