What does it mean if charges are dismissed during an arraignment?

When charges are dismissed during an arraignment, this means that the case has no legal standing. A dismissal indicates that the court considers that there is insufficient evidence to support the charges, or that there are procedural issues that prevent the prosecution from moving forward. It effectively means that the charges have been removed and are no longer in effect.

In this context, the other options do not accurately capture the meaning of a dismissal. A finding of not guilty refers to a verdict after a trial rather than during an arraignment. The defendant being informed of changes does not apply, as the arraignment primarily focuses on the formal reading of charges and the defendant's response. Lastly, while a prosecutor dropping charges can lead to a dismissal, that is a different situation; a dismissal by the court indicates a broader lack of legal justification for the case rather than simply a decision by the prosecutor.