Arraignment

Arraignment, appearance of a person in a court of law to plead guilty or not guilty to legal charges. Before or after entering this plea, the defendant may also enter various motions in his or her own behalf, such as requesting a change of venue (moving the place where the trial is to be held) or a continuance (allowing more time to prepare the case), and the defendant can even challenge the validity of the arrest and trial. If the defendant is not yet represented by a lawyer, the court may appoint one.