preliminary hearing

A proceeding in the Ontario Court of Justice available to people being prosecuted by indictment.  A preliminary hearing 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 any evidence upon which a properly instructed jury could convict. If you are not committed to stand trial, you will be discharged and your case will be over. A preliminary hearing is also known as a preliminary inquiry.