What does the term "bind over" signify in legal terms?

The term "bind over" signifies a legal process in which a defendant is held for trial or for presentation to a grand jury. This occurs after a preliminary hearing, where the judge assesses whether there is sufficient evidence to proceed with formal charges. If the judge finds enough probable cause that the defendant may have committed the crime, the defendant is "bound over" to the jurisdiction of the court for further proceedings.

This term is particularly significant because it ensures that defendants who are a potential threat to public safety or who are likely to flee will face the legal system instead of being released, thus upholding the integrity of the judicial process. The other responses do not accurately reflect the legal concept; for example, releasing a defendant from custody or dismissing a case entails different judicial actions that do not involve the binding over process. Delaying a trial involves scheduling and procedural considerations separate from the binding over determination.