Court Reporter Practice Exam

What occurs during an arraignment?

1. The defendant is sentenced

2. A plea of guilty or not guilty is entered

3. The jury is selected

4. The trial date is set

The correct answer is: A plea of guilty or not guilty is entered

During an arraignment, the primary purpose is for the defendant to formally hear the charges against them and to enter a plea in response to those charges. This is a critical step in the criminal justice process where the defendant has the opportunity to plead guilty, not guilty, or, in some jurisdictions, no contest. By entering a plea, the defendant makes a crucial decision on how to proceed in the legal process. This is significant because it sets the stage for what follows—be it a trial or potential negotiations for a plea deal. The arraignment itself does not involve sentencing, jury selection, or setting trial dates, which are handled at different stages of the legal proceedings. Therefore, the act of entering a plea is the key function of an arraignment, making it the correct and most relevant answer to the question.