Which term refers to the process of formally calling a defendant to enter a plea?

The term that refers to the process of formally calling a defendant to enter a plea is arraignment. This crucial step in the judicial process allows the defendant to be officially informed of the charges against them and to respond by entering a plea of guilty, not guilty, or no contest. During the arraignment, the court will also address matters such as bail and legal representation.

Litigation refers to the overall process of taking legal action or being involved in a lawsuit, which encompasses many stages, including but not limited to, the arraignment phase. Deposition, on the other hand, is a discovery process where witnesses provide sworn testimony outside of court, which does not involve entering a plea. Indictment is the formal accusation of a crime, typically handed down by a grand jury, which may lead to an arraignment but is distinct from the entry of a plea itself.