In the state criminal court system described, which court handles preliminary hearing and possible waiver to grand jury?

• A. Municipal court
• B. District court
• C. Circuit court
• D. Alabama Supreme Court

Answer: (B)

In Alabama, preliminary hearings and potential waivers to grand jury happen in district court. This lower court handles the initial screening of felony cases to determine whether there is probable cause to proceed, and a defendant can waive that preliminary step to proceed directly to indictment by a grand jury in circuit court. If a case goes beyond the preliminary stage, it moves to circuit court for trial after indictment. Municipal court handles city offenses, circuit court is the trial court for felonies after indictment or waiver, and the Alabama Supreme Court handles appeals.