What is the purpose of an arraignment in a criminal proceeding?

The purpose of an arraignment in a criminal proceeding is to inform the defendant of the charges against them. During this initial court appearance, the defendant is formally presented with the criminal charges filed, which allows them to understand the nature of the accusations. This step is crucial because it ensures that the defendant is aware of what they are being charged with, enabling them to prepare an appropriate defense.

In addition to informing the defendant of the charges, an arraignment can also serve other functions, such as determining the plea of the defendant. However, the primary focus of this stage is on ensuring that the defendant understands the charges they face, which sets the foundation for the legal process to follow. Other actions, such as conducting the trial, setting bail, or determining guilt or innocence, take place later in the legal procedure, well after the arraignment has been completed.