chargearraign

Chargearraign is a term that appears in older legal texts, particularly in Scottish law, and refers to the preliminary investigation and questioning of a suspect by a justice of the peace or other magistrate following an arrest. It was a stage in the criminal justice process where the authorities would gather initial information about the alleged crime and the accused's involvement. The purpose of the chargearraign was to determine if there was sufficient evidence to proceed with a formal charge and to allow the accused to hear the accusations against them.

During a chargearraign, the magistrate would typically read out the complaint or accusation to the suspect. The suspect would then be asked to respond, often with a plea of guilty or not guilty. While not a full trial, it served as an important procedural step to formalize the process and ensure the accused was aware of the allegations. The proceedings were usually recorded, forming part of the official court documents. The chargearraign was a precursor to further legal action, such as committal for trial or immediate sentencing if a guilty plea was entered and the magistrate had the authority to do so. The term itself suggests a combination of "charge" and "arraign," highlighting its dual function of informing the suspect of the offense and formally presenting them before the court or magistrate. While the specific procedures and terminology have evolved over time, the underlying concept of an initial formal confrontation between the accused and the legal authorities remains a fundamental aspect of many justice systems.