Final answer:
B. Reading of charges in court
An arraignment is the formal court procedure where a criminal defendant is presented with charges and asked to enter a plea, not to be mistaken with a bail hearing or a show cause hearing.
Step-by-step explanation:
An arraignment is a formal court procedure during which a criminal defendant is officially presented with the charges and asked to enter a plea. It is one of the initial steps in the criminal justice process, following an arrest, and it ensures that the accused understands the nature of the charges and has the opportunity to exercise their right to counsel. This hearing is not to be confused with a bail hearing, where the court decides whether the defendant may be released before trial and under what financial conditions, or a show cause hearing, where the prosecution must show sufficient evidence to justify continuing the legal action.