More Categories

Rule 10 – Arraignment

May 14, 2021 | Criminal Procedure, Tennessee

(a) General. Before any person is tried for the commission of an offense, the person shall be called into open court and arraigned, except as provided in Rule 43.
(b) Procedure. The arraignment shall consist of the following:

(1) ensuring that the defendant has a copy of the indictment, presentment, or information before called upon to plead;
(2) reading the indictment, presentment, or information to the defendant or stating to the defendant the substance of the charge; and then
(3) asking the defendant to plead to the indictment, presentment, or information.
(c) Record. The arraignment shall be entered on the record.
(d) Jointly Charged Defendants. Defendants who are jointly charged may be arraigned separately or together in the court’s discretion.

Tenn. R. Crim. P. 10

Advisory Commission Comment.

This rule creates a formal arraignment procedure in Tennessee. The rule applies only to Circuit or Criminal Courts or other criminal courts of record.

The accused must be given a copy of the indictment or presentment before being called upon to plead. A uniform procedure is provided applicable to all cases.