The preliminary hearing is where the judge decides if there is enough evidence mounted against you for you to stand trial. The arraignment is where you can file your plea of guilty, not guilty, or no contest. ... Your arraignment can happen immediately after the preliminary hearing or scheduled for a later date.

What comes before a preliminary hearing?

First, the judge listens to arguments from the prosecutor and then from the defendant's attorney. The prosecutor may call witnesses to testify, and can introduce physical evidence in an effort to convince the judge that the case should go to trial.

What comes after the arraignment?

After the Arraignment

The prosecution and the defense exchange information. This is called “discovery.” Defendants may be limited in what information they are able to see, but their lawyers usually are not.