Which type of hearing determines whether there is sufficient evidence to charge a defendant?

The correct answer is the preliminary hearing, which is a legal proceeding held to determine if there is enough evidence to formally charge a defendant with a crime. During this hearing, the prosecution presents its case, and the defense has the opportunity to challenge the evidence. The judge evaluates whether probable cause exists to believe that a crime has been committed and that the defendant is responsible for it. If the judge finds sufficient evidence, the case moves forward in the judicial process.

In contrast, a trial is a more comprehensive examination of the case, where guilt or innocence is determined by reviewing all evidence and hearing witness testimonies. A grand jury hearing is a process used to investigate criminal conduct and decide whether charges should be brought, but it involves a group of jurors rather than a judge making a decision on probable cause. Additionally, an administrative hearing typically deals with regulatory or compliance issues rather than criminal charges. Therefore, the preliminary hearing specifically fulfills the role of determining whether there is enough evidence to charge a defendant, making it the correct answer.