A court proceeding is a legal process that takes place in a court of law. It can involve a CASE, TRIAL, PLEA, ACTION, ARRAIGNMENT, or SUIT. A CASE is a dispute between two or more parties that is brought before a court. A TRIAL is a formal examination of evidence before a judge in order to determine guilt or innocence in a criminal or civil dispute. A PLEA is an answer to a criminal charge that is made by the accused in a court of law. An ACTION is a legal process initiated by one party against another in order to protect or enforce a right. An ARRAIGNMENT is a formal reading of a criminal charge in a court of law. A SUIT is a civil ACTION brought before a court of law.