bound over

**bound over**

The term “bound over” is primarily used in legal contexts to describe a situation where a court orders a defendant to appear for a future hearing or trial. It typically occurs after an initial court appearance, such as a preliminary hearing, where the judge decides there is enough evidence to require the defendant to stand trial or proceed to the next stage of the legal process. Being “bound over” means the case moves forward, and the defendant is required to remain under the court’s jurisdiction until the scheduled date. This term is commonly seen in criminal law discussions and court proceedings.