Legal Definitions - judicial proceeding

A judicial proceeding is a legal process that takes place in front of a judge. The exact meaning of judicial proceeding can vary depending on the location and may include quasi-judicial proceedings.

• A court case where a judge hears arguments from both sides and makes a decision based on the law.
• A hearing in front of an administrative board where legal determinations are made.
• A proceeding where an officer or tribunal exercises judicial functions.

For example, in Francis v. Gallo, the Supreme Court of Rhode Island stated that a witness's testimony made during a judicial proceeding is privileged. They defined judicial proceedings as including all proceedings where an officer or tribunal exercises judicial functions and hearings conducted by administrative bodies that make legal determinations. In Brady v. Bickford, the Appellate Court of Connecticut stated that judicial proceedings include the proceedings of many administrative officers, such as boards and commissions, so far as they have powers of discretion in applying the law to the facts which are regarded as judicial or quasi-judicial, in character.

These examples illustrate that a judicial proceeding can take many forms and can involve different types of legal bodies. The common thread is that a judge or other legal authority presides over the process and makes decisions based on the law.