Glossary - French Language Rights

In Criminal Law, Criminal law

A proceeding in the Ontario Court of Justice available to people being prosecuted by indictment. A preliminary inquiry does not determine guilt or innocence. It is used to determine whether there is enough evidence for committal. The test for committal is whether there is some evidence that a judge or jury could use to convict you at a trial. If you are not committed to stand trial, you will be discharged and your case will be over. A preliminary inquiry is also known as a preliminary hearing.