arraignment
arraignment, n. The initial step in a criminal prosecution whereby the defendant is brought before the court to hear the charges and to enter a plea. Fed. R. Crim. P. 10. Cf. PRELIMINARY HEARING; initial appearance under APPEARANCE. [Cases: Criminal Law 261–264. C.J.S. Criminal Law §§ 355, 357–360, 362–363.] — arraign, vb.