An indictment is when a grand jury, typically consisting of 23 people chosen at random, looks at evidence presented to them by a district attorney or DA and votes on whether there is evidence of a crime and if it is plausible that the suspect did it. If at least 12 of the jurors decide yes, the suspect has been indicted and criminal charges have been brought against them. The arraignment is when the suspect appears in court for the first time, the judge explains the charges and the suspect’s legal rights, and the suspect has to indicate if they are guilty or not guilty. If they plead not guilty, the case goes to trial.