Which statement correctly contrasts a grand jury indictment with a preliminary hearing?

Which statement correctly contrasts a grand jury indictment with a preliminary hearing?

• A. An indictment is issued by a judge without grand jury involvement.
• B. A preliminary hearing is a court proceeding to determine probable cause for trial, whereas an indictment is a formal charge issued by a grand jury in secret
• C. An indictment resolves guilt or innocence at a trial.
• D. Preliminary hearings replace the need for an indictment.

Answer: (B)

The main idea here is understanding how charging and early review of a case differ in procedure and purpose. A preliminary hearing is a court proceeding where a judge decides whether there is probable cause to hold the defendant for trial. It’s about whether the case should proceed, not about whether the defendant is guilty. An indictment, by contrast, is a formal charge issued after a grand jury reviews evidence in secret; it starts the formal criminal process but does not determine guilt. So the statement that correctly contrasts them notes that the preliminary hearing is about probable cause for trial, while the indictment is a formal charge issued by a grand jury in secret. The other options misstate who issues an indictment, or what an indictment does, or whether a preliminary hearing can replace an indictment.

The main idea here is understanding how charging and early review of a case differ in procedure and purpose. A preliminary hearing is a court proceeding where a judge decides whether there is probable cause to hold the defendant for trial. It’s about whether the case should proceed, not about whether the defendant is guilty. An indictment, by contrast, is a formal charge issued after a grand jury reviews evidence in secret; it starts the formal criminal process but does not determine guilt.

So the statement that correctly contrasts them notes that the preliminary hearing is about probable cause for trial, while the indictment is a formal charge issued by a grand jury in secret. The other options misstate who issues an indictment, or what an indictment does, or whether a preliminary hearing can replace an indictment.