Legal Definitions - administrative adjudication

ADMINISTRATIVE ADJUDICATION

Administrative adjudication is a process used by government agencies to make decisions about specific cases. It involves an adversarial proceeding, where both sides present evidence and arguments, and the agency makes a ruling based on the facts and the law. This is different from rulemaking, which is the process of creating new regulations.

• A person who receives a traffic ticket can contest it through administrative adjudication. They can present evidence that they did not violate the law, or that there were extenuating circumstances that should excuse their behavior. The agency will review the evidence and make a decision about whether to dismiss the ticket or impose a fine.
• A company that is accused of violating environmental regulations may have to go through administrative adjudication. The agency will hold a hearing where both sides can present evidence and arguments. The agency will then make a decision about whether the company violated the law, and what penalties or corrective actions are appropriate.

These examples illustrate how administrative adjudication is used to resolve specific disputes between individuals or organizations and government agencies. It allows for a fair and impartial decision-making process, based on the facts and the law.