Noun
A judicial hearing is where a judge listens to evidence before deciding an issue but without the formality of a trial. For example, let’s say one party moves to dismiss a case or to exclude evidence. A judge may schedule a hearing in which attorneys can make oral arguments and witnesses might give testimony to help the judge decide how to rule on the motion.
Unlike a trial, a hearing does not typically take place before a jury.
Pronunciation (although the context for many of these examples is the non-legal meaning of “hearing”, such as a hearing-aid)
Sample Sentences
The Court scheduled a hearing on our motion to dismiss for next Wednesday.
At the hearing, attorneys for the defendant argued that he should be released from jail pending trial.
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