Legal Definitions - arretted

Arretted describes the legal status of an individual who has been formally brought before a judge and officially presented with the specific criminal charges against them.

Here are some examples illustrating the term:

• Example 1: After being apprehended for shoplifting, Ms. Chen was taken to the local courthouse. During her initial appearance, the judge formally read aloud the charge of petty theft against her.

  Explanation: Ms. Chen was arretted at the moment the judge officially presented her with the charge of petty theft in court.

• Example 2: Mr. Davies, suspected of a serious felony like aggravated assault, was arrested and processed. He was then brought before a district court judge for his first hearing, where the judge clearly stated the formal charge of aggravated assault.

  Explanation: Mr. Davies was arretted when the judge formally informed him of the aggravated assault charge during his court appearance.

• Example 3: Following a lengthy investigation into financial irregularities, a company CEO was required to appear before a federal magistrate. At this hearing, the magistrate formally outlined the charges of securities fraud and embezzlement.

  Explanation: The CEO was arretted when the federal magistrate officially presented the charges of securities fraud and embezzlement against them in court.