they were arraigned

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "they were arraigned" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used in a legal context to indicate that individuals have been formally charged with a crime and are being brought before a court. Example: "After the investigation, they were arraigned on multiple charges, including theft and assault."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

17 human-written examples

They were arraigned yesterday.

The New York Times

They were arraigned in Queens criminal court on Wednesday.

The New York Times

They were arraigned at First District Court in Hempstead.

The New York Times

They were arraigned on charges of first-degree rioting and first-degree attempted gang assault.

The New York Times

They were arraigned in Queens Criminal Court on Wednesday night and pleaded not guilty.

The New York Times

When they were finally brought to court, they were arraigned before a military tribunal and accused of murder.

The Guardian - Opinion

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

39 human-written examples

Every prosecutor's office in the city, to some degree or another, employs the practice: interviewing suspects before they are arraigned in court.

The New York Times

The office of the Queens district attorney has found a way to subvert the Miranda rule with a "central booking interview program," in which prosecutors interrogate suspects before they are arraigned.

The New York Times

But the office of the Queens district attorney, Richard Brown, has concocted a way around this basic principle with a "central booking interview program" in which prosecutors interrogate suspects before they are arraigned or have counsel assigned to them.

The New York Times

A panel of New York State appellate judges overturned the convictions of three men on Wednesday after finding that their constitutional rights had been violated by a method of interviewing suspects, used only in Queens, before they are arraigned in court.

The New York Times

But they will cease to be prisoners of war from the moment they are arraigned, becoming criminal detainees with legal protections under Iraqi criminal procedures, including access to legal counsel, that were previously denied.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Be sure to contextualize the charges when using "they were arraigned", specifying what crimes the individuals are accused of committing to give the reader a complete picture.

Common error

Avoid using "they were arraigned" as a synonym for "they were convicted". Arraignment is the formal reading of charges, not a determination of guilt. Use "they were convicted" only when a guilty verdict has been reached.

Linguistic Context

"They were arraigned" functions as a passive voice construction used to describe a specific legal procedure. This grammatical structure emphasizes the action performed on the subject (they) rather than who performed the action (the court or legal system). As Ludwig AI confirm, this phrase indicates the formal presentation of charges in a court setting.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

97%

Formal & Business

2%

Science

1%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "they were arraigned" is a common phrase used in legal contexts, particularly in news reporting, to indicate that individuals have been formally charged with a crime and have appeared in court to hear the charges. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and typical use in news and media. While the phrase is straightforward, it's important to distinguish it from similar legal terms like "they were convicted" or ""they were indicted"". When writing, be precise in your language to avoid misrepresenting the stage of legal proceedings. This analysis provides writers with guidance on the proper usage of the phrase, highlighting common errors and best practices.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

they faced charges

This alternative emphasizes the legal confrontation.

they were formally accused

This alternative stresses the official nature of the accusation.

charges were filed against them

This alternative focuses on the formal accusation process.

they were indicted

This alternative specifies that a grand jury has formally accused them.

they were brought before a judge

This alternative focuses on the judicial authority involved.

the indictment was read to them

This alternative focuses on the formal reading of charges.

they appeared in court

This alternative highlights the physical presence in a legal setting, without explicitly stating the charges.

they were prosecuted

This alternative indicates that legal proceedings have commenced against them.

they entered a plea

This alternative indicates the start of the judicial process where the defendant declares 'guilty' or 'not guilty'.

they stood trial

This alternative suggests the case proceeded to a full trial.

FAQs

What does it mean when someone says "they were arraigned"?

It means that the individuals have been formally charged with a crime and brought before a court where the charges were read to them. It's a preliminary step in the legal process, not a declaration of guilt.

What's the difference between "they were arraigned" and "they were indicted"?

Indictment means a grand jury has determined there's enough evidence to bring criminal charges. Arraignment is the court appearance where those charges are formally presented to the defendant after the indictment.

Is "they were arraigned" the same as "they were arrested"?

No, being arrested is being taken into custody. Arraignment happens later, when the arrested individuals are formally charged in court.

What happens after "they were arraigned"?

After "they were arraigned", the defendants typically enter a plea (guilty, not guilty, or no contest). The case then proceeds to further hearings, potentially a trial, or a plea bargain.