Louisiana Private Investigator Licensing Practice Exam

What is the initial step in a criminal prosecution where the defendant is brought before the court to hear charges?

1. Trial

2. Sentencing

3. Arraignment

4. Plea bargain

The correct answer is: Arraignment

The initial step in a criminal prosecution where the defendant is brought before the court to hear charges is known as arraignment. During this process, the defendant appears in front of a judge, and the formal charges against them are read. This important stage allows the defendant to understand the nature of the accusations and to enter a plea—whether they plead guilty, not guilty, or no contest. Arraignment serves several crucial functions in the legal process, including ensuring that the defendant is aware of their rights and the charges against them, as well as setting the stage for subsequent legal proceedings, such as pre-trial motions and the trial itself. Understanding this process is vital for anyone studying criminal law, as it marks the beginning of a defendant's interaction with the judicial system. The other options represent different stages of the criminal process: trial is where the case is examined in detail before a judge or jury; sentencing occurs after a conviction and determines the penalty; and plea bargain refers to negotiations that can occur to resolve a case without a trial, usually after the arraignment phase.