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The procedure that involves bringing the accused before the court to formally respond to criminal charges is known as arraignment. During an arraignment, the charges are read to the defendant, and they are given the opportunity to enter a plea, which can be guilty, not guilty, or no contest. This initial court appearance is crucial as it helps inform the accused of the specific allegations they face and sets the stage for the legal proceedings that will follow.

In contrast, a court hearing encompasses various types of legal proceedings but does not specifically refer to the act of pleading to charges. A preliminary hearing is typically a proceeding that determines whether there is enough evidence to proceed with a trial, rather than a time for the accused to enter a plea. Sentencing occurs after a conviction, where the court imposes a penalty based on the plea or verdict, thus not related to the initial pleadings stage. This contextual distinction emphasizes why arraignment is specifically the correct term for this procedure.