Arraignment; Pleas; Continuance of Case in general

In general

The arraignment informs the accused of the charge or charges filed against him or her, whether by information or by grand jury indictment. It is done in open court. The accused, or his or her attorney, is given the opportunity to enter a plea to the charges. Although the rule differs somewhat from jurisdiction to jurisdiction, the defendant usually must be present in court for the arraignment where the crime charged is a felony. The plea entered may take the form of an admission, a denial, a demurrer, or a plea of nolo contendre.FN25