Elsie Law's Daily Dose Of The Law

According to Black's Law Dictionary, an arraignment is a "procedure whereby the accused is brought before the court to plead to the criminal charge in the indictment or information. The charge is read to him and he is asked to plead 'guilty' or 'not guilty' or, where permitted, 'nolo contendere.' Arraignment shall be conducted in open court and shall consist of reading the indictment or information to the defendant or stating to him the substance of the charge and calling on him to plead thereto. He shall be given a copy of the indictment or information before he is called upon to plead."