Within some criminal justice systems, a preliminary hearing ( evidentiary hearing) is a proceeding, after a criminal complaint has been filed by the prosecutor, to determine whether, and to what extent, criminal charges and civil cause of actions will be heard (by a court), what evidence will be admitted, and what else must be done (before a case can proceed). At such a hearing, the defendant may be assisted by counsel, indeed in many jurisdictions there is a right to counsel at the preliminary hearing.

A hearing with one or more witness giving testimony.

a hearing held by the trial court to resolve contested factual issues

a hearing where witnesses appear and evidence is received by the court (there is no jury present)

A public hearing before the IURC at which witnesses that have pre-filed written testimony are cross-examined by opposing counsel (and in some cases, by the Commission). Participation is typically limited to the formal parties to the proceeding.