A preliminary hearing is a legal proceeding held before a judge to determine if there is probable cause to believe that a crime was committed and that the defendant committed it. A judge may ask a variety of questions during a preliminary hearing. Some common questions include:
What is your name and address?Do you understand the charges against you?Do you have an attorney?How do you plead?Do you waive your right to a preliminary hearing?Do you understand the possible consequences of waiving your right to a preliminary hearing?
The judge may also ask questions about the facts of the case, such as:
