Which event is a court proceeding where the defendant is informed of charges and enters a plea?

• A. An administrative proceeding unrelated to criminal charges.
• B. A hearing to determine whether the case should be dismissed for lack of probable cause.
• C. A process for scheduling jury selection.
• D. A court proceeding where the defendant is informed of charges and enters a plea.

Answer: (D)

Arraignment is the first formal court proceeding in a criminal case where the defendant is brought before the judge, the charges are read, the defendant is advised of rights, and a plea is entered (guilty, not guilty, or no contest). This stage establishes how the case will move forward—if the plea is not guilty, the case proceeds toward trial; if guilty or no contest, it leads toward sentencing or a plea agreement. It’s distinct from a probable cause or preliminary hearing, which looks at whether there’s enough evidence to go to trial, not at pleading or charging. It’s also different from administrative or scheduling hearings that don’t involve reading charges or entering a plea.