8.01 Initial appearance after indictment or information

When someone is charged with a crime through an indictment or information, they get served with a warrant or summons telling them about the charges. After that happens, the judge has to bring them to court within a reasonable amount of time.

At this court appearance, the judge follows the same basic steps required whenever someone is first brought before a court on criminal charges. This usually means telling the person what they are charged with, informing them of their rights, and addressing things like bail.

The judge also either holds the arraignment right then or sets a date for it to happen later. The arraignment is the formal hearing where the person hears the charges read and enters a plea, usually guilty or not guilty. This rule makes sure people do not sit around for a long time after being charged without knowing what is happening with their case or having a chance to respond to the charges in court.