arraigned
Called before court
Arraigned is the past tense of arraign, meaning to bring someone before a court to hear and respond to criminal charges.
At an arraignment, the accused learns the formal charges and enters a plea: He was arraigned on murder charges Tuesday morning.
The word occasionally extends to any formal accusation or calling to account.
Judicial proceedings chamber
- judgeOne who decides
- benchShared seating surface
- dockMooring structure at water's edge
- defendantParty facing charges
bailiff · magistrate · docket · court clerk · public gallery · bar · chambers · gavel
Formal charge from jury
- accusationClaim someone did wrong
- chargeCost or accusation
- allegationAssertion lacking proof
- criminal complaintFormal accusation of offense
information · count · offense · felony · misdemeanor · prosecution · incrimination · formal accusation
Advance arrangement secured
- fingerprintingRecording unique digit patterns
- bailCourt-set release payment
- bondBinding tie or connection
- hearingPerceiving sound waves
preliminary hearing · remand · release · custody · detention · pretrial · first appearance · bail hearing
Cleared of charges
- guiltyResponsible for wrongdoing
- plea bargainNegotiated criminal case resolution
- allocutionFormal speech, especially pre-sentencing
- plea hearingCourt session for response
Lawyer representing the accused
- public defenderAttorney representing those unable to afford one
- counselExpert guidance offered
- legal representationAttorney acting on behalf
- right to counselDefendant's guaranteed legal representation
Miranda rights · due process · presumption of innocence · legal aid · court-appointed attorney · pro bono · defendant's rights
courtroom
Judicial proceedings chamber
defendant · bailiff · magistrate · docket · court clerk · public gallery · bar · chambers · gavel · court reporter
indictment
Formal charge from jury
- accusationClaim someone did wrong
- chargeCost or accusation
- allegationAssertion lacking proof
criminal complaint · information · count · offense · felony · misdemeanor · prosecution · incrimination · formal accusation · presentment
booking
Advance arrangement secured
- fingerprintingRecording unique digit patterns
- bailCourt-set release payment
- bondBinding tie or connection
hearing · preliminary hearing · remand · release · custody · detention · pretrial · first appearance · bail hearing · own recognizance
not guilty
Cleared of charges
- guiltyResponsible for wrongdoing
- plea bargainNegotiated criminal case resolution
- allocutionFormal speech, especially pre-sentencing
defense attorney
Lawyer representing the accused
- public defenderAttorney representing those unable to afford one
- counselExpert guidance offered
- legal representationAttorney acting on behalf
right to counsel · Miranda rights · due process · presumption of innocence · legal aid · court-appointed attorney · pro bono · defendant's rights
- legal termstrial, legal, appeal, lawsuit, law
- suspectssuspect, accused, prime suspect, person of interest, alleged
arraignedacquitted
Declared legally innocent
exonerated · cleared · vindicated · discharged · absolved