I was arraigned

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "I was arraigned" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used in a legal context to indicate that someone has been formally charged with a crime in a court of law. Example: "After being arrested, I was arraigned the following day to hear the charges against me."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Finally I was arraigned, made my bail, took the Greyhound home.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

He was arraigned on Thursday.

The New York Times

Mr. Villanueva was arraigned late Sunday.

The New York Times

Tenisha Sanders was arraigned and held on $500,000 bail.

The New York Times

He was arraigned for treason.

The Guardian

Yesterday, he was arraigned on kidnapping charges.

The New York Times

Tsarnaev was arraigned before a magistrate judge.

The New Yorker

A fourth was arraigned in Boston.

The New York Times

He was arraigned Friday on the trespassing charge.

The New York Times

Edwards was arraigned in Manhattan Criminal Court on Tuesday afternoon.

The New York Times - Sports

Mr. Woodson was arraigned in Somerville, N.J., on Tuesday afternoon.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "I was arraigned" when specifically referring to the formal reading of charges in court and the opportunity to enter a plea. Avoid using it as a general term for being arrested or accused.

Common error

Don't assume that being arraigned implies guilt. Arraignment is merely the formal presentation of charges; it's not a determination of innocence or guilt. The legal process is just starting.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "I was arraigned" functions as a statement of legal procedure. It describes a specific action taken by the court, where an individual is formally presented with the charges against them. Ludwig examples show this phrase used to indicate a step in the legal process after an arrest.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "I was arraigned" is a statement indicating that an individual has been formally charged with a crime in court. As shown by Ludwig, it is most commonly used in News & Media contexts. While grammatically correct, its frequency is rare. It's important to understand that arraignment is not a determination of guilt, but simply the formal presentation of charges. Related phrases include "I was formally charged" and "I appeared in court". Ludwig's analysis of the phrase confirms that it is a correct and usable expression in written English, typically found in legal contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

I was formally charged

Emphasizes the formal accusation of a crime, similar to arraignment.

I faced arraignment

Focuses on the act of facing the legal process of arraignment.

Charges were read against me

Highlights the reading of charges, a key component of the arraignment process.

I was called to answer charges

Focuses on the obligation to respond to the accusations.

I appeared in court

A more general phrase indicating a court appearance, which could include arraignment.

The court read my charges

Emphasizes the action of the court, rather than the individual.

I was brought before the court

A formal way of saying one was presented to the court, often for arraignment.

I entered a plea

Focuses on the action of entering a plea (guilty or not guilty) during arraignment.

I was indicted

Indicates a formal accusation by a grand jury, preceding arraignment in some cases.

I was processed

A more generic term encompassing various procedures, including arraignment.

FAQs

What does "I was arraigned" mean?

It means you were formally charged with a crime in court, and the charges were read to you. You also had the opportunity to enter a plea (guilty or not guilty).

What happens after "I was arraigned"?

After being arraigned, the case proceeds to the next stage, which may involve pre-trial hearings, negotiations, or a trial. It depends on your plea and the specifics of your case.

What can I say instead of "I was arraigned"?

You can use alternatives like "I was formally charged" or "I appeared in court", depending on the specific aspect you want to emphasize.

Is there a difference between "I was arrested" and "I was arraigned"?

Yes. Arrest is the act of being taken into custody. Arraignment is a subsequent court appearance where you hear the charges against you and enter a plea. You can be arrested without being arraigned immediately, and vice-versa.