The courts
arraignment
The first court appearance on a charge: the defendant is told the accusation, advised of rights, enters a plea, and conditions of release are set.
In full
Arraignment starts the criminal case in open court and triggers speedy-trial clocks. Almost every defendant pleads not guilty at this stage, since discovery has not happened and negotiations have not begun. Bail or other release conditions are usually addressed here or at a closely following detention hearing.
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A plain-language explanation for civic education, not legal advice. When in doubt, the official source named above controls.