Booking and arraignment are different procedures under California law. An arraignment is normally the first formal court proceeding in a criminal case. It takes the form of the defendant appearing before the judge presiding over the case. During the arraignment hearing: the judge will advise the defendant of his/her Constitutional rights, the accused learns of the specific charges that have been filed against him/her, the accused has the opportunity to enter a plea (guilty, not guilty, or no contest), and the court will set, modify, reinstate, or exonerate the defendant’s bail.