VII.   Law

Arraignment is the formal reading of a criminal complaint (indictment), in the presence of the defendant, to (a) inform them of the charges against them, (b) present the preliminary facts of the suit against the primary facts of the indictment offences and (c) receive the plea of the defendant.

An indictment is a formal written statement accusing a man, woman or person of one or more charges which, by law, are declared to be an offense.