Arraignment: meaning, definitions and examples
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arraignment
[ əˈreɪn.mənt ]
legal procedure
An arraignment is a preliminary court proceeding in which a person who has been accused of a crime is formally read the charges against them. During this process, the defendant is informed of their rights, and they are asked to enter a plea, such as guilty, not guilty, or no contest. The arraignment marks the first step in the criminal prosecution process and is usually held shortly after the accused has been arrested. It serves to protect the rights of the accused and ensure they are aware of the legal proceedings they will face.
Synonyms
charge reading, proceeding.
Examples of usage
- The defendant appeared in court for his arraignment.
- During the arraignment, she pleaded not guilty.
- The judge scheduled the arraignment for next week.
- Legal counsel was present during the arraignment.
Translations
Translations of the word "arraignment" in other languages:
🇵🇹 audiência de apresentação
🇮🇳 आरोप
🇩🇪 Anklage
🇮🇩 penyampaian dakwaan
🇺🇦 пред'явлення обвинувачення
🇵🇱 akt oskarżenia
🇯🇵 起訴状の読み上げ
🇫🇷 mise en accusation
🇪🇸 imputación
🇹🇷 iddia
🇰🇷 기소
🇸🇦 تقديم الاتهام
🇨🇿 obžaloba
🇸🇰 obžaloba
🇨🇳 起诉
🇸🇮 obtožba
🇮🇸 sókn
🇰🇿 айыптау
🇬🇪 ბრალდება
🇦🇿 ittiham
🇲🇽 imputación
Etymology
The term 'arraignment' dates back to Middle English, originating from the Old French word 'arrest', and can be traced further to the Latin word 'adrenare', meaning 'to bring before the court'. The concept of arraignment has deep roots in the legal systems of many Western countries, evolving through various legal traditions and documents. Historically, it established a crucial moment for the accused, ensuring that they were made aware of the allegations and had the opportunity to respond. The development of this legal procedure reflects the broader principles of due process and the rights of individuals within the judicial system, highlighting the importance of transparency and fairness in legal proceedings.