What happens at a pre-trial/arraignment/preliminary hearing?
A pre-trial hearing is an opportunity for the prosecution, defense and judge to discuss options including setting dates for future hearings/trials or dispositions. At an arraignment, the charges against the defendant are read, a lawyer is appointed if the defendant cannot afford one, and the defendants plea is entered. During a preliminary hearing, the prosecutor presents evidence to a judge in an attempt to show there is probable cause that a defendant has committed the crime for which they are charged. If the judge is convinced that probable cause exists to charge the defendant, then the prosecution proceeds to the next phase. If not, the charges are dropped.
