A hearing before a district division judge following arraignment at which the judge must determine if a crime was committed and whether sufficient evidence had been presented that the defendant committed the crime. Preliminary exams are held in felony cases.
A hearing before a magistrate judge or judge to determine if there is probable cause to warrant holding a person accused of a crime. It is a procedure to prevent a possible abuse of prosecutorial power.
The initial study of an application by a patent office, which in Britain involves checking that the specification is properly set out, and preparing a search report.
The initial study of an application by an official in the patent office to check that the specification is properly arranged and for preparing search reports.