What is the formal reading of charges to the defendant called?

What is the formal reading of charges to the defendant called?

• A. Indictment
• B. Plea
• C. Notice
• D. Arraignment

Answer: (D)

Arraignment is the stage where the defendant is brought into court and the exact charges are read aloud, rights are explained, and the defendant is asked to enter a plea. This reading in court is what defines the arraignment—the formal announcement of the charges the defendant faces, so they can respond. An indictment, by contrast, is the formal accusation issued by a grand jury and doesn’t itself involve reading the charges to the defendant. A plea is the defendant’s formal answer to the charges, typically given during or after the arraignment. A notice is just a notification and does not entail the actual reading of the charges.

Arraignment is the stage where the defendant is brought into court and the exact charges are read aloud, rights are explained, and the defendant is asked to enter a plea. This reading in court is what defines the arraignment—the formal announcement of the charges the defendant faces, so they can respond. An indictment, by contrast, is the formal accusation issued by a grand jury and doesn’t itself involve reading the charges to the defendant. A plea is the defendant’s formal answer to the charges, typically given during or after the arraignment. A notice is just a notification and does not entail the actual reading of the charges.