an article 32 preliminary hearing is a legal procedure under the union form code of military justice designed to determine whether there is sufficient evidence to merit a court-martial and is required before a case can be tried by a general court-martial. legal experts often compare an article 32 preliminary hearing to a civilian grand jury inquiry. the article 32 hearing will take place at ft. sam houston, texas, specific scheduling details for news media coverage of the hearing will be announced at a later date. following the article 32 preliminary hearing and receipt of the article 32 preliminary hearing officer's recommendations, the report will be forwarded to a general court-martial convening authority who may refer the case