Definitions
- A formal accusation of a crime by a grand jury. - A legal document that lists the charges against a defendant. - The process of formally charging someone with a crime.
- A formal reading of the charges against a defendant in court. - The process of bringing a defendant before a court to enter a plea. - The initial stage of a criminal trial.
List of Similarities
- 1Both are legal terms related to criminal charges.
- 2Both involve formal proceedings in a court of law.
- 3Both occur early in the legal process, before a trial.
- 4Both require the presence of the defendant in court.
- 5Both are part of the criminal justice system.
What is the difference?
- 1Definition: Indictment is a formal accusation of a crime by a grand jury, while arraignment is the formal reading of the charges against a defendant in court.
- 2Timing: Indictment usually occurs before arraignment, while arraignment is typically the first court appearance for a defendant.
- 3Purpose: Indictment is to formally charge someone with a crime, while arraignment is to inform the defendant of the charges against them and to enter a plea.
- 4Process: Indictment is decided by a grand jury, while arraignment is conducted by a judge.
- 5Outcome: Indictment results in a formal charge against the defendant, while arraignment can result in a plea of guilty or not guilty.
Remember this!
Indictment and arraignment are legal terms related to criminal charges, but they have different meanings and occur at different stages of the legal process. Indictment is a formal accusation of a crime by a grand jury, while arraignment is the formal reading of the charges against a defendant in court. Indictment occurs before arraignment and is decided by a grand jury, while arraignment is typically the first court appearance for a defendant and is conducted by a judge.
