Preliminary Hearing
/prɪˈlɪmɪnəri ˈhɪərɪŋ/
Definitions
- (n.) A court proceeding held early in a criminal case to determine if there is enough evidence for the case to proceed to trial.
The judge ruled that there was sufficient evidence to move forward after the preliminary hearing.
Forms
- preliminary hearings
Related terms
See also
Commentary
Preliminary hearings serve as a safeguard against unfounded criminal charges by requiring the prosecution to show probable cause before continuing to trial.
This glossary is for general informational and educational purposes only. Definitions are jurisdiction-agnostic but reflect terminology and concepts primarily drawn from English and American legal traditions. Nothing herein constitutes legal advice or creates a lawyer-client relationship. Users should consult qualified counsel for advice on specific matters or jurisdictions.