Legal Definitions - full hearing

A full hearing is a legal proceeding where a judge or decision-maker listens to evidence and arguments from both sides to make a decision on a matter. It can be open to the public and may involve witnesses testifying.

Examples of full hearings include:

• A court hearing to decide the admissibility of DNA evidence in a murder case
• An administrative hearing where a person presents arguments to an agency decision-maker regarding zoning variations
• A legislative hearing where legislators receive testimony about proposed legislation, such as gun control

In family law, a full hearing can refer to a trial or examination of facts relating to child custody or child abuse and neglect. It can also include adjudication hearings, dispositional hearings, and permanency hearings.