Question

Generally, an initial adjudication before an administrative agency is conducted by:

a. an administrative law judge.
b. an administrative appellate board.
c. an administrative mediator.
d. a federal court.

Answer 1

An initial adjudication before an administrative agency is typically conducted by an administrative law judge, who makes decisions within the agency's scope before any potential appeals to administrative appellate boards or federal courts.

Step-by-step explanation:

Generally, an initial adjudication before an administrative agency is conducted by an administrative law judge. Administrative law judges are key figures in the administrative law process and act as neutral arbitrators who make initial decisions on issues within the purview of administrative agencies. This is distinct from administrative appellate boards, which may hear appeals after initial rulings, and differs from the role of federal courts which typically engage in judicial review of administrative decisions rather than initial adjudications.

Administrative agencies issue rules or regulations implementing legislation and they have the authority from the executive branch to explain or enforce statutes. Furthermore, while the U.S. federal judicial system, established in the Judiciary Act of 1789, begins with district courts and moves up to circuit courts or the U.S. Supreme Court for appeals, initial adjudications in an administrative context typically do not start in these judiciary courts.