# Arraignment

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{{Short description|Formal reading of the offence to a criminal defendant}}
{{distinguish|Arrangement}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2023}}
[[File:Ministries trial arraignment.webm|thumb|Arraignment at the [Ministries Trial](/source/Ministries_trial), 20 December 1947]]
'''Arraignment''' is a formal reading of a criminal charging document in the presence of the [defendant](/source/defendant), to inform them of the [criminal charges](/source/Criminal_charge) against them. In response to arraignment, in some jurisdictions, the accused is expected to enter a [plea](/source/plea); in other jurisdictions, no plea is required. Acceptable pleas vary among jurisdictions, but they generally include ''[guilty](/source/Guilty_(plea))'', ''not guilty'', and the [peremptory plea](/source/peremptory_plea)s (pleas in bar) setting out reasons why a trial cannot proceed. Pleas of ''[nolo contendere](/source/nolo_contendere)'' ('no contest') and the [Alford plea](/source/Alford_plea) are allowed in some circumstances.

== By country ==

=== Australia ===
In the [Australian legal system](/source/Australian_legal_system), arraignment is the first stage in a criminal trial.<ref>{{Cite web | url = https://www.countycourt.vic.gov.au/files/documents/2018-08/factsheet-6-criminal-trial-process.pdf | title = Criminal Trial Process | publisher = County Court of Victoria, Victoria | access-date = 2024-06-20}}</ref> The [indictment](/source/indictment) is read to the defendant, who is asked to plead guilty or not guilty. Arraignment procedures vary somewhat among jurisdictions. In [New South Wales](/source/New_South_Wales), the arraignment takes place before the judge only.<ref>{{Cite web | url = https://www.odpp.nsw.gov.au/prosecution-guidance/steps-in-the-prosecution-process/Matter-goes-to-the-District-or-Supreme-Court | title = Matter goes to the District or Supreme Court | publisher = Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions, New South Wales | access-date = 2024-05-16}}</ref> In [South Australia](/source/South_Australia)n practice, the jury hears the arraignment.<ref>{{Cite book | url = https://www.researchgate.net/publication/238791665 | title = Practices, policies and procedures that influence juror satisfaction in Australia | page = 45 | author-first = Jane | author-last = Goodman-Delahunty | year = 2008 | publisher = Australian Institute of Criminology | isbn =  9781921185670}}</ref> In [Queensland](/source/Queensland) the indictment is read to the defendant by the [judge's associate](/source/judge's_associate) prior to the empanelling of the jury.<ref>{{Cite web | url = https://www.courts.qld.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0017/86003/sd-bb-4-trial-procedure.pdf | title = Benchbook - Trial Procedure | date = June 2021 | access-date = 2024-05-16 | publisher = Queensland Courts}}</ref>

=== Canada ===
In [British Columbia](/source/British_Columbia), arraignment takes place in one of the first few court appearances by the defendant or their lawyer. The defendant is asked whether they plead guilty or not guilty to each charge.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Court Appearances Before the Trial - Province of British Columbia |url=https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/justice/criminal-justice/bcs-criminal-justice-system/understanding-criminal-justice/how-works/court-hearings/court-appearances-before-the-trial |access-date=2023-10-02 |website=www2.gov.bc.ca}}</ref>

=== France ===
In [France](/source/Law_of_France), the general rule is that one cannot remain in [police](/source/Law_enforcement_in_France) custody for more than 24 hours from the time of their [arrest](/source/arrest).<ref name=fti-france>{{cite web|title=CRIMINAL PROCEEDINGS AND DEFENCE RIGHTS IN FRANCE|publisher=[Fair Trials International](/source/Fair_Trials_International)|url=http://www.fairtrials.org/wp-content/uploads/France-advice-note.pdf |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20221009/http://www.fairtrials.org/wp-content/uploads/France-advice-note.pdf |archive-date=2022-10-09 |url-status=live}}</ref> However, police custody can last another 24 hours in specific circumstances, especially if the offence is punishable by at least one year's imprisonment, or if the investigation is deemed to require the extra time, and can last up to 96 hours in certain cases involving [terrorism](/source/Terrorism_in_France), [drug trafficking](/source/Illegal_drug_trade), or [organised crime](/source/Milieu_(organized_crime_in_France)).<ref name=fti-france/> The police need to have the consent of the prosecutor, the ''procureur''.<ref>{{Cite web |last=McCulloch |first=Brian |date=2024-01-03 |title=Explainer: How criminal courts and jury service work in France |url=https://www.connexionfrance.com/practical/explainer-how-criminal-courts-and-jury-service-work-in-france/612380 |access-date=2025-03-28 |website=www.connexionfrance.com |language=en-GB}}</ref> In the vast majority of cases, the prosecutor will consent.<ref name=fti-france/> <!-- Does that constitute an arraigment? -->

=== Germany ===
In [Germany](/source/Law_of_Germany), if one has been arrested and taken into custody by the police, one must be brought before a judge as soon as possible and at the latest on the day after the arrest.<ref name=fti-germany>{{cite web|title=CRIMINAL PROCEEDINGS AND DEFENCE RIGHTS IN GERMANY|publisher=[Fair Trials International](/source/Fair_Trials_International)|url=http://www.fairtrials.org/wp-content/uploads/Germany-advice-note.pdf |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20221009/http://www.fairtrials.org/wp-content/uploads/Germany-advice-note.pdf |archive-date=2022-10-09 |url-status=live}}</ref>

=== New Zealand ===
Under [New Zealand law](/source/Law_of_New_Zealand), at the first appearance of the accused, they are read the charges and asked for a plea. The available pleas are: guilty, not guilty, and no plea. The response of "no plea" allows the defendant to get legal advice on the plea, which must be made on the second appearance.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.howtolaw.co/facing-criminal-charges-392160|title = Facing criminal charges from How to Law}}</ref>

=== South Africa ===
{{unreferenced section|date=June 2023}}
In [South Africa](/source/Law_of_South_Africa), arraignment is defined as the calling upon the accused to appear, the informing of the accused of the crime charged against them, the demanding of the accused whether they plead guilty or not guilty, and the entering of their plea.

=== United Kingdom ===
In [England](/source/English_law), [Wales](/source/Welsh_law), and [Northern Ireland](/source/Law_of_Northern_Ireland), arraignment is the first of 11 stages in a criminal trial in the [Crown Court](/source/Crown_Court) following committal from the [magistrates' court](/source/magistrates'_court_(England_and_Wales)), and involves the clerk of the court reading out the indictment. A summary trial in the magistrates' court begins with a preparation for trial hearing which is not referred to as an arraignment.

In England and Wales, the [police](/source/Law_enforcement_in_the_United_Kingdom) cannot legally detain anyone for more than 24 hours without charging them, unless an officer with the [rank](/source/Police_ranks_of_the_United_Kingdom) of superintendent (or above) authorises detention for a further 12 hours (i.e., 36 hours total), or a magistrates' court authorises detention by the police before charge for up to a maximum of 96 hours; for [terrorism](/source/Terrorism_in_the_United_Kingdom)-related offences a person can be held by the police for up to 28 days before charge.<ref name=fti-england-wales>{{cite web|title=Criminal Proceedings and Defence Rights in England and Wales|publisher=[Fair Trials International](/source/Fair_Trials_International)|url=http://www.fairtrials.org/wp-content/uploads/Criminal-Proceedings-and-Defence-Rights-in-England-and-Wales-Aug-2013.pdf |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20221009/http://www.fairtrials.org/wp-content/uploads/Criminal-Proceedings-and-Defence-Rights-in-England-and-Wales-Aug-2013.pdf |archive-date=2022-10-09 |url-status=live}}</ref> If they are not released after being charged, they should be brought before a court as soon as practicable.<ref name=fti-england-wales/><!--

Not relevant to the topic of arraignment: In [Scotland](/source/Scots_law), the police cannot detain anyone for more than 12 hours without charging them unless an officer of the rank of superintendent (or above) authorises detention for a further 12 hours (i.e., up to 24 hours in total); for terrorism-related offences a person can be held by the police for up to 14 days before charge.<ref name=fti-scotland>{{cite web|title=Criminal Proceedings and Defence Rights in Scotland|publisher=[Fair Trials International](/source/Fair_Trials_International)|url=http://www.fairtrials.org/wp-content/uploads/Criminal-Proceedings-and-Defence-Rights-in-Scotland.pdf}}</ref> If they are not released after being charged, they should be brought before a court as soon as practicable.<ref name=fti-scotland/> -->

=== United States ===
The [Sixth Amendment to the United States Constitution](/source/Sixth_Amendment_to_the_United_States_Constitution) grants criminal defendants the right to be notified of the charges against them. Under the [United States](/source/Law_of_the_United_States)' [Federal Rules of Criminal Procedure](/source/Federal_Rules_of_Criminal_Procedure), arraignment shall consist of an open reading of the indictment (and delivery of a copy) to the defendant, and a call for them to plead.<ref>Rule {{frcrp|10}} – via [Cornell Law School](/source/Cornell_Law_School)</ref>

In [federal courts](/source/Federal_judiciary_of_the_United_States), arraignment takes place in two stages. The first is called the "initial arraignment" and must take place within 48 hours of an individual's arrest, or within 72 hours if the individual was arrested on the weekend and not able to go before a judge until Monday.<ref>{{cite book |title=Criminal Procedure |publisher=Thomson Wadsworth |year=2012 |edition=8th |first=Joel |last=Samaha |isbn=978-0-495-91335-1 }}</ref> During this stage, the defendant is informed of the pending legal charges and is informed of his or her [right to retain counsel](/source/Right_to_counsel). The presiding judge also decides at what amount, if any, to set [bail](/source/Bail_in_the_United_States). During the second stage, the post-indictment arraignment, the defendant is allowed to enter a plea.

In [New York](/source/New_York_(state)), a person arrested without a warrant and kept in custody must be brought before a local criminal court for arraignment "without unnecessary delay".<ref>NYS Criminal Procedure Law § 140.20(1).</ref> A delay of more than 24 hours is rebuttably presumed to be unnecessary.<ref>''People ex rel. Maxian on Behalf of Roundtree v. Brown,'' 77 N.Y.2d 422, 570 N.E.2d 223 (1991).</ref>

In [California](/source/California), arraignments must be conducted without unnecessary delay and, in any event, within 48 hours of arrest, excluding weekends and holidays.<ref name=riverside>[County of Riverside v. McLaughlin](/source/County_of_Riverside_v._McLaughlin), 500 U.S. 44 (1991)</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.spolinlaw.com/blog/2016/08/16/los-angeles-criminal-court-arraignments/|title=Los Angeles Criminal Court Arraignments {{!}} Spolin Law P.C.|website=spolinlaw.com|date=16 August 2016|access-date=2016-12-03}}</ref>

==Form of the arraignment==
The wording of the arraignment varies from jurisdiction to jurisdiction.<ref>In some jurisdictions the wording of the arraignment is set by statute or court practice direction.</ref> However, it generally conforms with the following principles:
# The accused person ([defendant](/source/defendant)) is addressed by name;
# The [charge](/source/criminal_charge) against the accused person is read, including the alleged date, time, and place of offense (and sometimes the names of the state's witnesses and the range of punishment for the charge(s)); and,
# The accused person is asked formally how they plead.

==Video arraignment==
'''Video arraignment''' is the act of conducting the arraignment process using some form of [videoconferencing](/source/videoconferencing) technology. Use of video arraignment system allows the court to conduct the requisite arraignment process without the need to transport the defendant to the courtroom by using an audio-visual link between the location where the defendant is being held and the courtroom.

Use of the video arraignment process addresses the problems associated with having to transport defendants. The transportation of defendants requires time, puts additional demands on the public safety organizations to provide for the safety of the public, court personnel and for the security of the population held in detention. It also addresses the rising costs of transportation.

==Guilty and not-guilty pleas==
If the defendant pleads guilty, an [evidentiary hearing](/source/Preliminary_hearing) usually follows. The court is not required to accept a guilty plea. During the hearing, the judge assesses the offense, the [mitigating factor](/source/mitigating_factor)s, and the defendant's character, and passes [sentence](/source/Sentence_(law)).

If the defendant pleads [not guilty](/source/not_guilty_(plea)), a date is set for a [preliminary hearing](/source/preliminary_hearing) or a [trial](/source/trial).

In the past, a defendant who refused to plead (or "stood mute") was subject to ''[peine forte et dure](/source/peine_forte_et_dure)'' ([Law French](/source/Law_French) for "strong and hard punishment"). Today, in [common law](/source/common_law) jurisdictions, the court enters a plea of not guilty for a defendant who refuses to enter a plea.<ref>In Queensland, Australia, this matter is covered by statute. See s601 of the Queensland [Criminal Code](/source/Criminal_Code).</ref> The rationale for this is the defendant's [right to silence](/source/right_to_silence).

==Pre-trial release==
This is also often the stage at which arguments for or against pre-trial release and bail may be made, depending on the alleged crime and jurisdiction.

==See also==
* [Desk appearance ticket](/source/Desk_appearance_ticket)

==References==
{{reflist}}

{{Criminal procedure}}

Category:Legal terminology
Category:Prosecution
Category:United States criminal procedure
Category:Criminal law of the United Kingdom
Category:Australian criminal law

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Arraignment](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arraignment) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arraignment?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.