Which of the following is not a motion hearing?

• A. Suppression Hearing
• B. Change of Venue Hearing
• C. Preliminary Hearing
• D. Arraignment

Answer: (C)

Motion hearings are sessions where the court rules on a legal issue raised by a party before or during trial. Suppression hearings fit this, because they decide whether evidence should be excluded. Change of venue hearings also fit, since they involve ruling on moving the case to another location. A Preliminary Hearing is not about ruling on a legal motion; it’s a fact-finding proceeding to determine if there is probable cause to believe the defendant committed the offense and to decide whether the case should proceed to trial. It focuses on whether there’s enough evidence to bind the case over, rather than deciding a legal question about the procedure or admissibility. Arraignment is a separate step where charges are read and a plea is entered, not a motion to suppress or change venue. So the one that’s not a motion hearing is the Preliminary Hearing.