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Arraignment

Arrest warrant Â· Search warrant
Probable cause Â· Knock-and-announce
Exigent circumstance
Reasonable suspicion
Search and seizure Â· Search of persons
Arrest Â· Detention
Right to silence Â· Miranda warning (U.S.)
Grand jury

Criminal prosecution

Statute of limitations Â· Nolle prosequi
Bill of attainder Â· Ex post facto law
Criminal jurisdiction Â· Extradition
Habeas corpus Â· Bail
Inquisitorial system Â· Adversarial system

Charges and pleas

Arraignment Â· Information Â· Indictment
Plea Â· Peremptory plea
Nolo contendere (U.S.) Â· Plea bargain
Presentence Investigation

Related areas of law

Criminal defenses
Criminal law Â· Evidence
Civil procedure

Portals

Law Â· Criminal justice

Arraignment is a common law term for the formal reading of a criminal complaint, in the presence of the defendant, to inform him/her of the charges against him or her. In response to arraignment, the accused is expected to enter a plea. Acceptable pleas vary from jurisdiction to jurisdiction, but they generally include "guilty", "not guilty", and the peremptory pleas (or pleas in bar), which set out reasons why a trial cannot proceed. In addition, US jurisdictions allow pleas of "nolo contendere" (no contest) and the "Alford plea" in some circumstances.

In England, Wales and Northern Ireland, arraignment is the first of eleven stages in a criminal trial, and involves the clerk of the court reading out the indictment. The defendant is asked whether he or she pleads guilty or not guilty to each individual charge.

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