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Preferred term

preliminary hearing  

Definition

  • An evidentiary hearing that takes place early in the criminal process to determine if there is probable cause to establish (1) that the alleged crime took place in the jurisdiction of the court and (2) that the person charged with the crime could have committed the crime. If probable cause is established, a formal charging document known as “information” is issued. [Source: The SAGE Glossary of the Social and Behavioral Sciences; Preliminary Hearing]

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https://concepts.sagepub.com/social-science/concept/preliminary_hearing

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