What is the purpose of an arraignment?

An arraignment is a critical step in the North Carolina criminal procedure process. It is a court hearing where the accused is officially presented with the criminal charges against them and is asked to enter a plea. This plea is typically “guilty” or “not guilty.” The purpose of an arraignment is to make sure that the accused is aware of the charges against them and that they are being given the right to a fair trial if they choose to plead “not guilty.” During the hearing, the judge will inform the accused of the specific charges that have been made against them and will read them their legal rights. The accused will then have the opportunity to enter a plea and if they plead “not guilty,” a trial date will be set so the accused can have their day in court. The arraignment is an important part of the criminal justice system as it is the first step in giving the accused the right to a fair trial and to be informed of the charges against them. The arraignment ensures that the accused is aware of the charges and that the trial will be conducted properly.

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What is the purpose of an arraignment?

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