Legal Definitions - bindover hearing

BINDOVER HEARING

A bindover hearing is a legal proceeding where a judge decides whether there is enough evidence to send a case to trial. It is also known as a preliminary hearing.

Example 1: In a bindover hearing, the prosecution presents evidence to the judge to show that the defendant committed the crime they are accused of. The defense can also present evidence to challenge the prosecution's case.

Example 2: If the judge decides that there is enough evidence to proceed to trial, the defendant will be "bound over" to the higher court.

A bindover hearing is an important step in the criminal justice process. It helps to ensure that cases with weak evidence do not go to trial, saving time and resources. The examples illustrate how the prosecution and defense present their cases, and how the judge makes a decision based on the evidence presented.