An offense less serious than a felony, a misdemeanor usually carries a penalty of one year or less in jail. In a misdemeanor case, the first appearance is called the arraignment. That is the date that formal charges are brought against the accused, and the main purpose of that date is for the accused to enter a plea. If the accused pleads not guilty, the case is scheduled for pre-trial conferences and then trial. At trial, the accused has the right to a trial by jury. A conviction requires all 12 jurors to agree that the accused is guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
