preliminary hearings
Initial court sessions
Preliminary hearings are court proceedings held early in a criminal case to determine whether sufficient evidence exists to proceed to trial.
A judge reviews the prosecution's evidence and decides if there is probable cause to believe the defendant committed the crime.
If the evidence is deemed insufficient, charges may be dismissed; if sufficient, the case moves forward.
These hearings give defendants an early look at the prosecution's case and sometimes result in plea negotiations.
The defense attorney used the preliminary hearing to challenge the strength of the evidence.
- arraignmentCharge-reading court session
- criminal chargesFormal accusations of lawbreaking
- judgeOne who decides
- bailiffLegal proceeding overseer
- prosecutorGovernment's trial lawyer
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- criminal courtcriminal court, judge, jury, trial, verdict
- criminal courtstrials, courtroom, verdicts, defendants, accused
- employment tribunalsunfair dismissal, discrimination claims, claimant, respondent, constructive dismissal
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preliminary hearingstrial
Judicial examination of claims
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