arraignment

American  

[uh-reyn-muhnt] / əˈreɪn mənt /

noun

1. Law. an act or instance of bringing someone before a criminal court to hear an indictment, or formal charge, against them and to enter a plea in response to that charge.

   At her arraignment Crane pleaded not guilty, and the trial was set for May 21.

2. a calling into question or a finding fault, especially with respect to the value or virtue of something; critical examination.

   In his arraignment of the basic weaknesses in the nation's social fabric, he drew special attention to racism.

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Other Word Forms

• nonarraignment noun

Etymology

Origin of arraignment

First recorded in 1400–50; late Middle English arainement, from Middle French araisnement; equivalent to arraign + -ment

Example Sentences

She gave a heads up to several Goldman executives before the Daily Beast published an article in November 2020 revealing she was in the courtroom at Epstein’s 2019 arraignment.

From The Wall Street Journal

Reiner’s arraignment was postponed until Feb. 23 based on the change of counsel.

From Los Angeles Times

“I was captured,” he said in Spanish, before pleading not guilty during a brief arraignment.

From Los Angeles Times

He appeared in court Wednesday, when a judge postponed his arraignment until January.

From Los Angeles Times

He was held in a glass enclosure as Jackson requested that his arraignment be postponed until Jan. 7.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• indictment