An arraignment is the formal court hearing wherein the State files and announces what charges it will be pursuing against an accused. The judge (or “court”) may do a number of things at an arraignment, including:
Advising you of the charges against you.
Advising you of the minimum and maximum penalties of the charges.
Asking how you wish to plea.
Setting dates for future proceedings.
At your arraignment hearing, you will be asked to enter a plea, which must be one of these formal responses:
Not guilty, which means you are denying that you committed the crime with which you are being charged.
Guilty, which is your admission that you committed the crime with which you are charged and that you are willing to accept the penalties imposed by the court.
No contest (or nolo contendere), which means you are not denying or admitting that you committed the crime, but are asking that the court resolve the matter. A plea of no contest is often associated with plea agreements.