The general session judge will advise the defendant that he or she has the right to an attorney if they do not have an attorney present. If the defendant chooses right to counsel, the judge will reset their court date to give them time to retain an attorney or to apply for a public defender. On the next appearance, the defendant will be given the opportunity to plead guilty to the charge (s). If they do not wish to plead guilty, a preliminary hearing will be conducted. The purpose of a preliminary hearing is “for a judge to determine whether there is probable cause to believe that the defendant committed the crime or crimes” that he or she are charged with (Bohm & Haley, 2011, p 13). Probable cause means that the judge sees enough evidence to believe the charges are warranted enough to turn the case over to the grand jury for review. After hearing testimony from the arresting officer and reviewing the evidence in the case, the grand jury determines that there is enough probable cause to bring a “true bill”, or not enough probable cause and issue a “no bill”. A “true bill” means that a law or laws were disrupted and the evidence supports the indictment. If the grand jury brings a “no bill”, the charges against the
The general session judge will advise the defendant that he or she has the right to an attorney if they do not have an attorney present. If the defendant chooses right to counsel, the judge will reset their court date to give them time to retain an attorney or to apply for a public defender. On the next appearance, the defendant will be given the opportunity to plead guilty to the charge (s). If they do not wish to plead guilty, a preliminary hearing will be conducted. The purpose of a preliminary hearing is “for a judge to determine whether there is probable cause to believe that the defendant committed the crime or crimes” that he or she are charged with (Bohm & Haley, 2011, p 13). Probable cause means that the judge sees enough evidence to believe the charges are warranted enough to turn the case over to the grand jury for review. After hearing testimony from the arresting officer and reviewing the evidence in the case, the grand jury determines that there is enough probable cause to bring a “true bill”, or not enough probable cause and issue a “no bill”. A “true bill” means that a law or laws were disrupted and the evidence supports the indictment. If the grand jury brings a “no bill”, the charges against the