What occurs at an arraignment?

• A. The jury deliberates on guilt.
• B. The defendant is formally charged and enters a plea.
• C. The evidence is presented to the jury.
• D. The defendant is sentenced.

Answer: (B)

Arraignment is the court step where the defendant is formally charged and enters a plea. The charges are read aloud, the defendant is reminded of rights, and, if needed, counsel is appointed. The defendant then enters a plea—guilty, not guilty, or no contest—and the court may address bail or release conditions. This step sets the path for what happens next, such as plea negotiations or a trial. The other actions described—jury deliberations, presenting evidence to a jury, and sentencing—happen later in the process: deliberations occur during the trial after evidence is presented, and sentencing follows after a conviction or guilty plea.