Which proceeding determines probable cause for continuing the case?

• A. Preliminary Hearing
• B. Miranda Rights
• C. Juvenile Rights
• D. Non-Adversarial Proceeding

Answer: (A)

Determining whether there is enough evidence to move forward with the case happens at a preliminary hearing. In this proceeding, a judge reviews the evidence presented by the prosecution to decide if there is probable cause to believe the defendant committed the offense and to bind the case over for trial. If probable cause is found, the case continues toward trial; if not, the charges may be dismissed or require further investigation.

Miranda rights relate to warnings given during custodial interrogation, not to evidentiary thresholds for proceeding. Juvenile rights govern protections for youths in the juvenile system, not the step that tests whether there is enough evidence to continue a case. A non-adversarial proceeding is not the mechanism for evaluating probable cause in criminal cases.