Arraignment

The hearing at which the accused is brought before the court to enter a plea to the criminal charge in the indictment. A party may plead "guilty," "not guilty," or where permitted, "nolo contendere." See preliminary hearing.

A proceeding in which an individual who is accused of committing a crime is brought into court, told of the charges, and asked to plead guilty or not guilty.

This is the first appearance in Superior Court of the defendant after indictment. The defendant is provided with a copy of the indictment, informed of the charges against him or her, and advised of the right to an attorney and to trial. At arraignment, the defendant also formally enters a plea before the court of guilty or not guilty. Bail is set at this time, and bail which may have been previously set is reviewed. Under Superior Court Rule 10(c), the defendant may waive the opportunity to be present for this initial appearance if represented by an attorney, and if bail has already been set on all of the charges listed in the indictment. The attorney is required to file a written plea of not guilty with the Court in a timely manner. The written pleading must state that the defendant has been made aware of the charges against him or her, that the next appearance date is know to the defendant, that a plea of not guilty is being entered, and that the person(s) responsible for bail has been informed of the filing of the written pleading.

A hearing before a judge during which the judge reads the charges to the defendant and the defendant pleads guilty or not guilty.

When the defendant is brought before the court, informed of the charges, and called upon to enter a plea to the charges. The defendant is given a copy of the indictment or information before being called upon to enter a plea.