Arraignment
A court proceeding where a criminal defendant is formally charged and enters a plea of guilty, not guilty, or no contest.
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Detailed Explanation
Arraignment is typically the defendant's first court appearance after arrest. The judge reads the charges, advises the defendant of their rights, sets bail conditions, and accepts a plea. Most defense attorneys advise pleading not guilty at arraignment to preserve options. Arraignment usually occurs within 48-72 hours of arrest.
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