What is the purpose of a pre-trial hearing?

A pre-trial hearing is an important part of criminal procedure in Delaware. The purpose of a pre-trial hearing is to ensure that fair and just proceedings are conducted in court. It is when a judge decides whether or not a case should go to trial. The judge looks at evidence that has been collected by the prosecution and the defense and determines if it meets the required standard for the case to go to trial. The defense and prosecution attorneys also attend the hearing to discuss their arguments and present any relevant evidence. A pre-trial hearing also examines the legality of the arrest, searches, or other law enforcement activities that took place prior to the defendant appearing in court. The judge reviews the evidence to determine if the procedures followed by the police or other law enforcement were in compliance with the law. If they were not in compliance, the judge may suppress the evidence and the case may not proceed. The pre-trial hearing also allows a judge to consider evidence that cannot be used in court. This allows for legal arguments on whether the evidence should be admissible in court. If the judge agrees with the defense, the evidence may be suppressed and the case will not be taken to trial. The pre-trial hearing is an important step in criminal procedure in Delaware. It allows a judge to review the evidence and consider legal arguments to ensure that fair and just proceedings are conducted in court.

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What is the purpose of a pre-trial hearing?

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