An arraignment is a legal proceeding that takes place in criminal cases to formally present the charges against the defendant and allow them to enter a plea. Here’s how an arraignment generally works: 
- Setting the arraignment: After a person is arrested and charged with a crime, a court will schedule an arraignment. The timing of the arraignment can vary depending on the jurisdiction and the nature of the case.
- Notification of the defendant: The defendant is notified of the arraignment date and time. They may receive a summons or be informed while in custody. It is important for the defendant to appear at the scheduled arraignment.
- Courtroom proceedings: On the day of the arraignment, the defendant, their defense attorney (if they have one), the prosecutor, and a judge are present in the courtroom.
- Reading of charges: The judge begins by informing the defendant of the charges filed against them. The charges are typically read out loud, and the defendant is made aware of the specific criminal offenses they are accused of.
- Rights and plea: The judge explains the defendant’s constitutional rights, such as the right to legal representation, the right to remain silent, and the right to a trial. The defendant is then asked to enter a plea, which usually falls into one of three categories: guilty, not guilty, or no contest (also known as nolo contendere).
- Plea entered: The defendant provides their plea in response to the charges. If they plead guilty, the case may proceed to sentencing. If they plead not guilty, the case will typically move to the next phase, such as pretrial hearings or trial preparations. A plea of no contest has similar consequences to a guilty plea but is sometimes used when the defendant doesn’t wish to admit guilt but doesn’t contest the charges.
- Bail considerations: During the arraignment, the judge may also address bail. Bail is a monetary amount set by the court to secure the defendant’s release from custody before trial. The judge determines whether to grant bail, deny it, or set specific conditions for release.
- Scheduling future proceedings: If the defendant pleads not guilty, the judge may set dates for future court appearances, such as pretrial hearings, motions, or trial dates.
It’s important to note that the exact process can vary depending on the jurisdiction and the specific circumstances of the case. Additionally, in some cases, arraignments may be conducted remotely through video conferencing, especially during extraordinary circumstances like a pandemic.