What is an arraignment?

An arraignment is a critical stage in the criminal justice process where a defendant is formally presented with the charges against them. During this hearing, the court informs the accused of the specific allegations and the legal basis for those charges. The primary purpose of the arraignment is to ensure that the defendant understands their rights and the nature of the charges they face.

During the arraignment, the defendant has the opportunity to enter a plea, which could be guilty, not guilty, or, in some cases, no contest. This stage is essential because it sets the foundation for how the case will proceed, whether toward trial, plea negotiations, or potentially, case dismissal.

The other options focus on different aspects of the legal process. While determining bail can occur at an arraignment, it is not the primary function of this event. The trial itself comes much later in the process following the arraignment. A plea agreement is a separate aspect that may relate to negotiations that happen after arraignment but is not part of the arraignment itself.