What is the initial stage of courtroom proceedings called?

The initial stage of courtroom proceedings is known as an arraignment. During an arraignment, the defendant is formally charged with a criminal offense and asked to enter a plea, which can be guilty, not guilty, or no contest. This stage is crucial because it sets the tone for the rest of the legal process. The court also informs the defendant of their rights and the charges they face, ensuring that they understand the legal implications of the case against them.

Other stages mentioned in the options, such as trial, discovery, and sentencing, occur at different points in the legal process. A trial is where evidence is presented to determine the defendant's guilt or innocence, discovery involves the exchange of legal information and evidence between parties prior to trial, and sentencing is the phase where a punishment is assigned after a guilty verdict or plea. Each of these stages follows the arraignment, making it the foundational step in courtroom proceedings.