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Arraigned: meaning, definitions and examples

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arraigned

 

[ əˈreɪnd ]

Verb
Context #1 | Verb

legal context

To be arraigned means to be formally charged with a criminal offense and to be asked to enter a plea. This process is a crucial step in the judicial system, taking place after an arrest and before a trial. During an arraignment, defendants are informed of the charges against them, and their rights are explained. They typically have the opportunity to enter a plea of guilty, not guilty, or no contest. If the defendant pleads not guilty, the case will move forward to trial.

Synonyms

charged, summoned.

Examples of usage

  • The defendant was arraigned in front of the judge.
  • After being arrested, she was arraigned the next morning.
  • During the arraignment, he pleaded not guilty to the charges.
  • Arrainments are usually short and straightforward proceedings.

Translations

Translations of the word "arraigned" in other languages:

🇵🇹 acusado

🇮🇳 समन किया गया

🇩🇪 angeklagt

🇮🇩 didakwa

🇺🇦 обвинувачений

🇵🇱 oskarżony

🇯🇵 起訴された

🇫🇷 mis en accusation

🇪🇸 acusado

🇹🇷 iddia edilen

🇰🇷 기소된

🇸🇦 مُتَّهَم

🇨🇿 obviněný

🇸🇰 obvinený

🇨🇳 被控告

🇸🇮 obtožen

🇮🇸 saksóknu

🇰🇿 айыпталушы

🇬🇪 დასჯილი

🇦🇿 ittiham olunan

🇲🇽 acusado

Etymology

The word 'arraigned' originates from the Old French term 'arainer', which means 'to call to account', and traces back to the Latin 'adrenare', meaning 'to bring to judgment'. It entered English in the late Middle Ages, around the 15th century, as the legal system began to formalize processes for dealing with criminal accusations. Historically, the arraignment process was implemented to ensure that individuals accused of crimes were aware of their charges and had an opportunity to respond to them. Its use has been pivotal in the development of fair trial rights, reflecting the evolution of legal systems that prioritize due process and justice.

Word Frequency Rank

Positioned at #20,733, this word is part of extensive vocabulary. It's relatively rare in general usage but may be important in specific fields or formal writing.