In what type of hearing does the judge evaluate evidence to decide if a defendant should be tried?

The preliminary hearing is the correct answer because it is specifically designed as a legal proceeding in which a judge assesses whether there is enough evidence to require a trial. During this hearing, the prosecution presents evidence, and the defense may also present arguments or evidence to contest the charges. The judge determines if there is probable cause to believe that a crime was committed and that the accused individual committed it, allowing the case to move forward.

In contrast, an arraignment is primarily the stage where a defendant is formally charged and enters a plea, without the presentation of evidence regarding the case's merits. A grand jury is a group of jurors that reviews evidence presented by the prosecution to determine whether there is enough evidence to indict a defendant. It does not involve a judicial determination by a judge, nor does it result in a decision regarding a trial based on evidence as seen in a preliminary hearing. Finally, a court trial is where evidence is presented before a judge or jury for a verdict; it occurs after the preliminary hearing and is not focused on evaluating whether to proceed to trial.