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Arraignment
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<p>Arraignment is a formal reading of a criminal charging document in the presence of the <a href="/facts/Defendant/t7ftlHvP">defendant</a>, to inform them of the <a href="/facts/Criminal_charge/g9V345nw">criminal charges</a> against them. In response to arraignment, in some jurisdictions, the accused is expected to enter a <a href="/facts/Plea/lDGuTFoj">plea</a>; in other jurisdictions, no plea is required. Acceptable pleas vary among jurisdictions, but they generally include <i><a href="/facts/Guilty_(plea)/lDGuTFoj">guilty</a></i>, <i>not guilty</i>, and the <a href="/facts/Peremptory_plea/ur4PtlTr">peremptory pleas</a> (pleas in bar) setting out reasons why a trial cannot proceed. Pleas of <i><a href="/facts/Nolo_contendere/vozfnhEW">nolo contendere</a></i> ('no contest') and the <a href="/facts/Alford_plea/N20uLXnv">Alford plea</a> are allowed in some circumstances. </p>