Legal Definitions - adjudicatory hearing

An adjudicatory hearing is a legal proceeding where a judge or decision-maker decides on issues of fact or law. It can be open to the public and may involve witnesses testifying. Here are some examples:

• In a criminal case, a hearing to determine whether the accused should be released before trial.
• In a child abuse or neglect case, a hearing to decide whether the state has the right to intervene on behalf of the child.
• In a juvenile delinquency case, a hearing to determine whether the charges against the juvenile are true or not true.
• In an administrative law setting, a hearing where an affected person presents arguments to an agency decision-maker.

Overall, an adjudicatory hearing is a formal process where evidence is presented and a decision is made based on the facts and the law.