The principal mechanisms for testing the government's case against defendants prior to trial include:

Question

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Grand jury review and preliminary hearings are the principal mechanisms for testing the government's case against defendants prior to trial. Grand juries are used in federal court and some state courts to determine if there is enough evidence to bring criminal charges against a defendant. Preliminary hearings are held in other state courts and serve the same purpose. Both processes allow the defense to challenge the evidence and arguments presented by the government and potentially have the case dismissed before going to trial. Arrest warrants and first appearance hearings are important parts of the pretrial process, but they do not involve the same level of testing the government's case as grand jury reviews and preliminary hearings.

The Principal Mechanisms for Testing the Government's Case Against Defendants