Legal Definitions - hearing

A hearing is a formal proceeding that takes place in a court. It is usually a short session that resolves a specific question before a full court trial takes place. It can also refer to specialized proceedings such as administrative hearings. During a hearing, evidence and arguments are presented to determine an issue of fact or both issues of fact and law.

For example, in criminal law, a preliminary hearing is held before a judge and without a jury to determine whether the prosecutor has presented sufficient evidence to justify proceeding with the case. This means that the judge will listen to the evidence presented by the prosecutor and decide if there is enough evidence to go to trial.

Another example of a hearing is an administrative hearing. This type of hearing is held to resolve disputes between individuals and government agencies. For instance, if someone is denied a permit by a government agency, they can request an administrative hearing to appeal the decision. During the hearing, both parties will present evidence and arguments to support their case, and a decision will be made based on the evidence presented.

In summary, a hearing is a formal proceeding that takes place in a court or administrative setting to determine an issue of fact or law. It involves presenting evidence and arguments to support a case, and a decision is made based on the evidence presented.