Editing Administrative law judge (section)

{{Short description|Judge and trier of fact}}
{{Redirect|ALJ}}
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{{US administrative law}}
An '''administrative law judge''' ('''ALJ''') in the [[United States]] is a [[judge]] and [[trier of fact]] who both presides over [[trial (law)|trials]] and adjudicates claims or disputes involving [[administrative law]], thus involving administrative units of the executive branch of government. ALJs can administer [[oath]]s, take [[testimony]], rule on questions of [[evidence (law)|evidence]], and make factual and legal determinations.<ref name="Barnett">{{cite journal |last1=Barnett |first1=Kent |author1-link=Kent Barnett |title=Resolving the ALJ Quandary |journal=Vanderbilt Law Review |date=April 2013 |volume=66 |issue=3 |pages=797–865 |url=https://scholarship.law.vanderbilt.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1302&context=vlr |access-date=29 December 2020}}</ref> 

In the United States, the [[United States Supreme Court]] has recognized that the role of a federal administrative law judge is "functionally comparable" to that of an [[Article III judge]]. An ALJ's powers are often, if not generally, comparable to those of a trial judge, as ALJs may issue subpoenas, rule on proffers of evidence, regulate the course of the hearing, and make or recommend decisions.

Depending upon the agency's jurisdiction, proceedings may have complex multi-party adjudication, as is the case with the  [[Federal Energy Regulatory Commission]], or simplified and less formal procedures, as is the case with the [[Social Security Administration]].