What is the test for sufficiency of evidence at a preliminary inquiry?

The sufficiency of evidence at a preliminary inquiry requires that the evidence presented must be such that a reasonable jury could find the accused guilty of the charge. This reflects the standard used to decide whether the prosecution's case has enough merit to proceed to trial. The focus at this stage is on whether the evidence is capable of supporting a conviction if credited, rather than being a definitive proof of guilt.

This threshold is lower than the standard of 'beyond a reasonable doubt,' which is applied at trial, where the prosecution must meet a higher burden to ensure that the jury feels certain of the defendant's guilt. Additionally, while evidence suggesting innocence is important in the larger context of a trial, it does not serve to establish the sufficiency needed for a preliminary inquiry. Therefore, the appropriate standard focuses on the reasonable likelihood that a jury could find guilt based on the evidence available at this early stage of the judicial process.