arraignment
arraignment n. 传讯 英美刑事诉讼中的一项正式程序，包括三项内容：１法院将被告人传唤到庭；２向其宣读起诉书的内容；３由被告人就起诉书所指控的罪行作出答辩。在英国，被告人可以作有罪答辩、无罪答辩、或者保持沉默，或者作对管辖权有异议、不适于受审等其他形式的答辩。在美国，被告人一般可以作有罪答辩、无罪答辩、或不愿争论的答辩〔plea of nolo contendere〕。传讯必须公开进行，答辩前必须将起诉书文本一份给予被告人。法庭对被告人的答辩应当记录在案。
ARRAIGNMENT
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.