initial hearing

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "initial hearing" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in legal contexts to refer to the first court appearance or session regarding a case. Example: "The defendant was present at the initial hearing to address the charges against him."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Wiki

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

An initial hearing was scheduled for Nov. 14.

The New York Times - Sports

An initial hearing is expected early in the new year.

The Guardian - Money

The initial hearing was postponed until Nov. 7.

The New York Times - Sports

After all, he had never been given an initial hearing.

The New York Times

Mr. Kushner, who lives in Livingston, was released after his initial hearing on $5 million bond.

The New York Times

The heated exchange occurred in the case's initial hearing before a U.S. district judge.

The Washington Post

At an initial hearing he seemed carefree, joking with friends and talking on his mobile phone.

The New York Times

Ms. Antonio de Pascual's initial hearing had already been postponed because no interpreter was available.

The New York Times

Neither Mr. Starr nor Mr. Stein entered pleas at the initial hearing on Thursday.

The New York Times

Both men appeared in court here in a brief initial hearing on Thursday.

The New York Times

He was released under $10,000 bond and an initial hearing was set for April 8 in Marion Superior Court.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about legal proceedings, use "initial hearing" to specifically denote the first official court appearance where procedural matters are addressed. This sets a clear timeline for the events being described.

Common error

Avoid using "initial hearing" interchangeably with "trial". The initial hearing is a preliminary stage focusing on procedural matters, while the trial is the main event where evidence is presented and guilt or innocence is determined.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "initial hearing" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the subject or object of a sentence. It identifies a specific event within legal proceedings. As seen in Ludwig, it denotes the very first court appearance.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

78%

Academia

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Science

3%

Wiki

3%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "initial hearing" is a grammatically correct and very common noun phrase used primarily in legal and news contexts. Ludwig AI confirms its proper usage. It refers to the first court appearance in a legal proceeding, where the defendant is informed of the charges and preliminary matters are addressed. While alternatives like "preliminary hearing" and "first hearing" exist, "initial hearing" provides a specific and clear designation. Remember to distinguish it from the trial itself. Usage is most frequent in news and media sources, reflecting its role in reporting legal events.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

preliminary hearing

This alternative emphasizes the preparatory nature of the hearing.

first hearing

This is a more straightforward and common synonym.

opening hearing

This highlights the start or opening of the proceedings.

primary hearing

Refers to the most important or first hearing

first court appearance

This alternative focuses on the defendant's initial presence in court.

inaugural hearing

This term adds a formal tone to the start of the legal proceeding.

commencement of proceedings

This is a more formal and broader way to describe the start of a legal case.

start of the trial

This alternative specifically refers to the beginning of a trial.

arraignment

This refers to the formal reading of charges in court.

case initiation

This phrase describes the beginning of a legal case more broadly.

FAQs

What is the purpose of an "initial hearing"?

An "initial hearing" serves to inform the defendant of the charges against them, determine bail, and set future court dates. It is a preliminary step, not the trial itself.

What happens after the "initial hearing"?

Following the "initial hearing", further proceedings such as pre-trial motions, discovery, and eventually a trial may occur, depending on the nature of the case and the defendant's plea.

What can I say instead of "initial hearing"?

You can use alternatives like "preliminary hearing", "first hearing", or "first court appearance" depending on the context.

Is an "initial hearing" the same as an arraignment?

While related, an "initial hearing" and an arraignment are not always the same. The arraignment is specifically where the defendant enters a plea, which may or may not occur at the "initial hearing".