Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Definition
An arraignment is a court proceeding where the defendant is formally charged with a crime and asked to respond by entering a plea of guilty, not guilty, or no contest. It marks the beginning of the criminal process after an arrest.
Related terms
Plea: A formal statement made by a defendant in response to a criminal charge, declaring them guilty, not guilty, or no contest.
Indictment: A formal charge or accusation of a serious crime, typically presented by a grand jury based on presented evidence.