The arraignment must be made by the court, or by the clerk or prosecuting attorney under its direction, and consists in reading the accusatory pleading to the defendant and delivering to the defendant a true copy thereof, and of the endorsements thereon, if any, including the list of witnesses, and asking the defendant whether the defendant pleads guilty or not guilty to the accusatory pleading; provided, that where the accusatory pleading is a complaint charging a misdemeanor, a copy of the same need not be delivered to any defendant unless requested by the defendant.
Cal. Penal Code § 988
Of the Arraignment of the Defendant
Applied in 1 court decision — leading case 138 Cal. App. 4th 1 - RENE C. v. Superior Court (2006)
Most recently applied in 138 Cal. App. 4th 1 - RENE C. v. Superior Court (February 2006)
Amended by Stats. 1998, Ch. 931, Sec. 379
Official source: California Legislative Information. Reproduced from public-domain California statutes; confirm against the official source for the current text. Not legal advice.