[dmclain]

My question involves criminal law for the state of: Missouri.

What is the difference between a plea hearing and a preliminary hearing?

[aaron]

A plea hearing is a hearing scheduled for the entry of a plea, usually a guilty plea associated with a plea bargain.

A preliminary hearing? You're probably referencing the probable cause hearing for a felony case, where the prosecutor has to show probable cause both that a crime was committed and that the defendant is the person who committed the crime. This hearing is often waived where there is going to be a plea bargain.