Court Opinion

ID: 9711747
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-26 04:38:17.686818+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T18:23:07.246669
License: Public Domain

McDERMOTT, Justice,
dissenting.
I join with the Chief Justice in dissent and write only to emphasize that credibility is not in issue at a preliminary hearing. A preliminary hearing does not determine guilt or innocence, its function is only to determine whether, if believed, the facts offered would support the elements of a legally identifiable offense. The Commonwealth is not required to present all the proofs at their disposal, only those sufficient to establish a prima facie case. To surrender, as the majority appears willing, credibility determinations to a preliminary hearing, is to make the first level of judicial process the final one.
*424The court has defined the purpose of a preliminary hearing as follows:
It seeks to prevent a person from being imprisoned or required to enter bail for a crime which was never committed, or for a crime with which there is no evidence of his connection. It is not a trial in any sense of the word. It does not purport or attempt to determine the guilt or innocence of the accused, nor is he required to speak, plead or offer testimony in defense.
Commonwealth ex rel. Maisenhelder v. Rundle, 414 Pa. 11, 15, 198 A.2d 565, 567 (1964); Commonwealth v. Rashed, 496 Pa. 26, 32, 436 A.2d 134, 137 (1981).
It is not a place for cracker barrel justice, unless we wish to return to those thrilling days of yesteryear when local magistrates did what they pleased.