What is an arraignment?
An arraignment is the first step in a criminal case. At the arraignment, the person accused of breaking the law (the defendant) appears in court in front of a judge. The judge tells the defendant what the maximum penalty is for the charge. The defendant then tells the judge whether the defendant thinks that he/she is guilty or not guilty of the crime to which the defendant is accused (known as a guilty plea or not guilty plea).

If the defendant enters a plea of not guilty, the judge sets the bail bond, if any, and the next hearing, which is called a pretrial conference. If the defendant enters a plea of guilty at the arraignment, the judge may impose a sentence or set a later date to do so.

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1. What are the differences between an infraction and a misdemeanor?
2. What is an arraignment?
3. What happens if I plead guilty?
4. Once I plead guilty, can I change my mind later and plead not guilty?
5. What is a pretrial conference?
6. What is a plea agreement?
7. How do I get an attorney to represent me?
8. How can I get a court appointed attorney?
9. Can I have a court appointed attorney for an infraction?
10. What happens if I miss court?
11. Can I ask the judge for legal advice?
12. Can I ask the prosecutor for legal advice?
13. Can I appeal a conviction on an infraction?
14. Can I appeal a conviction on a misdemeanor?
15. What is a Rule 35 motion?
16. Can I disqualify a judge from my case?
17. What is the difference between a court trial and a jury trial?
18. What is an Alford plea?
19. What is probation?