Indictment vs. Arraignment — What's the Difference?

An indictment ( in-DYT-mənt) is a criminal accusation that a person has committed a crime. In jurisdictions that use the concept of felonies, the most serious criminal offence is a felony; jurisdictions that do not use the felonies concept often use that of an indictable offence, an offence that requires an indictment.

Arraignment is a formal reading of a criminal charging document in the presence of the defendant, to inform them of the charges against them. In response to arraignment, the accused is expected to enter a plea.

A set of written criminal charges issued against a party, where a grand jury, under the guidance of a prosecutor, has found that sufficient evidence exists to justify trying the party for that crime.

(Law) To call (an accused person) before a criminal court to hear and answer the charge made against that person.

The act or process of obtaining such charges.

To call to account; accuse

A document or other communication that makes accusations of wrongdoing or describes an unacceptable situation

(legal) The formal charging of a defendant with an offense.

(legal) An official formal accusation for a criminal offence, or the process by which it is brought to a jury.

The act of arraigning, or the state of being arraigned; the act of calling and setting a prisoner before a court to answer to an indictment or complaint.

(legal) The official legal document outlining the charges concerned; bill of indictment.

A calling to an account to faults; accusation.

An accusation of wrongdoing; a criticism or condemnation.

A legal document calling someone to court to answer an indictment

Evidence of failure or poor performance.

The act of indicting, or the state of being indicted.

The formal statement of an offense, as framed by the prosecuting authority of the State, and found by the grand jury.

An accusation in general; a formal accusation.

A formal document written for a prosecuting attorney charging a person with some offense

An accusation of wrongdoing;