Art. 293 Time for examination; procurement of counsel

If a judge orders a preliminary examination, that examination has to happen fairly soon. But the defendant also needs to be given a fair chance to find a lawyer before it takes place. The court has to balance both things: moving the case forward without unnecessary delay, while making sure the person isn't forced into the hearing without legal help.

This matters because a preliminary examination is where a judge decides if there's enough evidence to keep the case moving forward. Having a lawyer at this stage can make a real difference, since the lawyer can question witnesses and challenge the evidence against the defendant. The rule makes sure the court doesn't rush this process so fast that the person ends up facing it alone, without time to get an attorney on their side.