Arraignment
A formal accusation of person in
court (last step before trial);
severe criticism, censure. Arraignment
is a common law term for the formal
reading of a criminal complaint,
in the presence of the defendant,
to inform him of the charges against
him. 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.
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