Paralegal Advanced Competency Exam (PACE) Practice Exam

During an arraignment, the primary responsibility of the accused person is to enter a plea to the charges brought against them. This is a formal court proceeding where the accused is informed of the charges and the possible consequences. The plea can typically be one of several options, such as guilty, not guilty, or no contest. The arraignment serves as an opportunity for the accused to publicly acknowledge the charges and to formally respond to them.

The other options do not accurately reflect the requirements of an arraignment. Providing a statement of evidence is not a part of this process; the focus is on the plea rather than evidence presentation. Meeting with a defense attorney may occur prior to or after the arraignment, but it is not a mandated part of the arraignment itself. Similarly, presenting character witnesses is not a procedural requirement for an arraignment, as this typically occurs during the trial or sentencing phases when the character evidence is more relevant.