Ever wonder what the term arraignment means? Here’s what you need to know.
Within twenty-four hours following a person’s arrest they must appear before a judge to receive a formal reading of the criminal charges they face.
Generally speaking, the purpose of the initial arraignment is to a inform the person of the pending charges and to provide a copy of any charging documents filed by the prosecutor.
Once the person is charged by the prosecutor the person is referred to as the defendant.
Another purpose of an arraignment is to inform the defendant of his or her right to have a lawyer and of the right to have an attorney appointed without cost if he or she can’t afford to hire one.
At arraignment, a judge considers whether to release the defendant on bail pending further proceedings in the case. After a defendant has been indicted by the grand jury, the person is again arraigned. The purpose of the post indictment arraignment is essentially the same as the initial arraignment that occurs shortly after the charges are filed but with some important differences.
At this stage the judge will inform the defendant of the grand jury’s decision and will call upon him or her to enter a plea. Most defendants will enter a “not guilty” plea, which triggers the need for a trial.
Source: Office of Victims’ Rights
Recent Comments