Final answer:
A preliminary hearing is where a judge determines probable cause to believe the defendant committed the crime, and the defense counsel tests the strength of the prosecution's case. The defendant is not asked to enter a plea during a preliminary hearing.
Step-by-step explanation:
A preliminary hearing is an initial step in a criminal case where a judge determines whether there is probable cause to believe the defendant committed the crime. During a preliminary hearing, the defense counsel is given the opportunity to test the strength of the prosecution's case by cross-examining witnesses and presenting evidence. However, the defendant is generally not asked to enter a plea during a preliminary hearing. The judge's role is to determine whether there is probable cause to believe the defendant committed the crime, not whether a crime was in fact committed. Therefore, the correct option is D) The judge determines whether there is probable cause to believe a crime was committed.