What do hearing officers do

Hearing officers are one type of non-ALJ adjudicator sometimes collectively referred to as administrative judges. These adjudicators preside over administrative hearings and proceedings in a process called adjudication. They have a variety of responsibilities and titles depending on the agency that employs them and their caseload.

Non-ALJs conduct informal adjudication proceedings, which may involve a hearing or a written process. Unlike administrative law judges ALJs , non-ALJ adjudicators are not covered by the Administrative Procedure Act and their positions are not standardized across the government.

Their work, titles, qualifications, and pay vary substantially. Non-ALJs conduct the majority of adjudication proceedings. There were more than 10, non-ALJ adjudicators working at various federal agencies as of February Ballotpedia features , encyclopedic articles written and curated by our professional staff of editors, writers, and researchers.

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Share this page Follow Ballotpedia. What's on your ballot? Jump to: navigation , search. Epstein Federalist No. Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs U. In trials in which juries are selected to decide the case, judges instruct jurors on applicable laws and direct them to consider the facts from the evidence.

For other trials, judges decide the case. A judge who determines guilt in criminal cases may impose a sentence or penalty on the guilty party. In civil cases, the judge may award relief, such as compensation for damages, to the parties who win lawsuits. Judges use various forms of technology, such as electronic databases and software, to manage cases and to prepare for trials.

In some cases, a judge may manage the courts administrative and clerical staff. Judges and Hearing Officers: Salary, career path, job outlook, education and more Education Required Although there may be a few positions available for those with a bachelors degree, a law degree is typically required for most jobs as a local, state, or federal judge or hearing officer.

Training Required All states have some type of orientation and training requirements for newly elected or appointed judges. The hearing officer listens to both sides of the case and then makes a decision based on what he or she has heard.

A hearing officer acts much like a judge , but only deals with cases involving administrative agencies. The officer's hearings are also much less formal than a traditional court case with a presiding judge. These hearings mostly take place in person, but can also be conducted through mailed testimony as well. The role of a hearing officer is often seen as being more just than a traditional judge. The officer takes the time to review both sides and lets everyone have their say in the matter.

The officer may also listen to testimonies and review evidence to make a judgement decision. This allows both parties to feel that a fair decision was made and not a hasty one. One major difference between a hearing officer and a judge is that the officer does not normally make a decision until several days or more after the hearing takes place. Most officers make a decision within ten days of the hearing and mail the decision to both parties of the case.

This gives the officer considerably more time to review all of the aspects of the case to make an informed and fair decision.