What is the purpose of an arraignment?

An arraignment is the first step in a criminal case proceeding in South Carolina. It is the initial appearance of the accused in court and the beginning of the criminal proceedings. During the arraignment, the accused is informed of the charges against them and their rights. The purpose of an arraignment is to ensure the accused understands the charges and their rights under the law. The accused is informed of their right to an attorney, how they may plead (guilty, not guilty, or nolo contendere, meaning “no contest”), and their right to a fair trial. The arraignment also serves an important purpose: it is the start of the criminal court proceedings and the courts can begin making rulings in the case, such as setting defendant will appear in court when required.">bail or imposing other court-ordered conditions of release. At the arraignment, the court will also schedule dates for upcoming hearings and provide the accused with the necessary paperwork. Finally, the arraignment serves the purpose of documentation. The case must be officially recorded in the court system and all parties must be made aware of the case proceedings. The arraignment makes sure all parties, including the judge, prosecutor, and accused, are aware of the case and all of its proceedings.

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What is the purpose of an arraignment?

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