What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
arraignment
Example
The defendant was nervous during his arraignment as he stood before the judge. [arraignment: noun]
Example
The lawyer advised his client to plead not guilty at the arraignment. [arraignment: noun]
indictment
Example
The grand jury returned an indictment against the suspect for the robbery. [indictment: noun]
Example
The defense attorney argued that there was not enough evidence to support the indictment. [indictment: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Arraignment is more commonly used than indictment in everyday language, as it is the first step in the legal process and is widely known. Indictment is less common and is mainly used in legal and formal contexts.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between arraignment and indictment?
Both arraignment and indictment are formal terms used in the legal field. However, indictment is generally considered more formal and is primarily used in legal and official documents, while arraignment can be used in both formal and informal settings when discussing legal proceedings.
