Bill > S772

This bill amends Chapter 278 of the General Laws, specifically Section 11A, to clarify the arraignment process for defendants accused of repeat offenses. An arraignment is the formal reading of criminal charges against a defendant and their plea to the charges. The bill's key provision states that if a defendant is charged with a crime that carries a harsher penalty for second or subsequent offenses, and the legal document (complaint or indictment) explicitly states it's a repeat offense, the defendant will be asked to plead guilty or not guilty to both the crime itself and the fact that it is a subsequent offense. This ensures that the defendant is formally addressing both aspects of the charge at the initial court appearance.