arraignment

IPA/əˈreɪnmənt/
KK[ɚˈenmənt]IPA/əˈreɪnmənt/

arraignment — noun

  • arraignmentsingular
  • arraignmentsplural

1. A formal court hearing where a person accused of a crime is brought before a jud

1.名詞B2
釋義

A formal court hearing where a person accused of a crime is brought before a judge, informed of the specific charges against them, and asked to state how they plead — usually guilty or not guilty.

例句

Elena's arraignment on fraud charges is set for Monday at the federal courthouse downtown.

arraignment on [charges] — states the accusation

At the arraignment, the judge read the charges aloud and asked how the defendant pleaded.

at the arraignment — prepositional phrase for timing

同義詞
  • indictment

    Indictment is the formal written charge itself, while arraignment is the court hearing where that charge is read to the accused.

  • charge

    More general — a charge is the accusation; arraignment is the specific legal procedure where the charge is formally presented.

  • plea hearing

    A plea hearing focuses on the defendant's response (guilty/not guilty) and may skip the full reading of charges in some courts.

文法句型

at [possessive] arraignment

arraignment on [charges]

用法筆記

Frequently used in news coverage of criminal cases. The arraignment is not a trial — no evidence is presented and no verdict is given. The only decision made is the plea (guilty or not guilty).

常見錯誤

❌The judge sentenced him at the arraignment.
✅The judge set a trial date at the arraignment; sentencing happens after a conviction.
💡An arraignment only covers charges and pleas, not punishment.
❌The jury listened to the evidence at the arraignment.
✅The judge read the charges at the arraignment without a jury present.
💡Arraignments are before a judge only, without a jury.