pretrial

American  

[pree-trahy-uhl, -trahyl] / priˈtraɪ əl, -ˈtraɪl /

noun

1. a proceeding held by a judge, arbitrator, etc., before a trial to simplify the issues of law and fact and stipulate certain matters between the parties, in order to expedite justice and curtail costs at the trial.

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adjective

1. of or relating to such a proceeding.

2. done, occurring, etc., prior to a trial.

   pretrial publicity.

Etymology

Origin of pretrial

First recorded in 1935–40; pre- + trial

Example Sentences

The Supreme Court, which sentenced him to 24 years and six months in prison in this case, ordered that Vasques be placed in pretrial detention.

From Barron's

His co-conspirator, Juan Niebla-Osuna, 28, struck a plea agreement with U.S. attorneys for the same charge and was out on bond, but was reported missing in late August, according to a pretrial services violation petition.

From Los Angeles Times

And James, a Democrat, gets her own solo hearing on Dec. 5 to air other pretrial arguments for seeking the dismissal of the case.

From The Wall Street Journal

Prosecutors must first persuade a judge in a special pretrial hearing that a defendant didn’t kill in legitimate self-defense—disproving a person’s claim of mortal fear.

From The Wall Street Journal

Sun had no reason to register as a foreign agent, her defense team argued in pretrial motions.

From The Wall Street Journal