arraign
uh-RAYN
/əˈreɪn/
To call or bring someone before a court to answer a criminal charge.
This is a procedural step. It’s the first time a defendant appears in court to hear the charges and enter a plea (guilty or not guilty).
The story behind the word. The word comes from the Latin 'ratio', meaning 'reason' or 'account'. To arraign someone was to call them to 'give an account' of their actions.
Word relationships
- charge: Charging is the act of accusing; arraigning is the formal court appearance for that charge.
Commonly confused with
- indict: Indictment is the formal accusation; arraignment is the court appearance where that accusation is read.
Word family
- arraignment (noun): The action of arraigning someone in court.
Collocations
- be arraigned on charges
- arraigned in court
- formally arraigned
Example sentences
- "The suspect is expected to be arraigned in federal court tomorrow morning." Legal Procedure
- "He was arraigned on charges of grand larceny and released on bail." News Report
Memory hook
Arraign: Sounds like 'A Rain' of charges falling on the defendant as they stand before the judge. Called to court.
When not to use
Do not use for the trial itself; the arraignment is just the beginning of the process.
Fun facts
- In an arraignment, the judge also decides whether to set bail or keep the defendant in jail until the trial.
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