Chapter 1 | | stare decisis | A common law doctrine under which judges are obligated to follow the precedents established in prior decisions. | adjudicate | To render a judicial decision. In the administrative process, adjudication is the trial-like proceeding in which an administrative law judge hears and decides issues that arise when an administrative agency charges a person or a firm with violating a law or regulation enforced by the agency. | administrative agency | A federal or state government agency established to perform a specific function. Administrative agencies are authorized by legislative acts to make and enforce rules in order to administer and enforce the acts. | administrative law | The body of law created by administrative agencies (in the form of rules, regulations, orders, and decisions) in order to carry out their duties and responsibilities. | administrative law judge (ALJ) | One who presides over an administrative agency hearing and has the power to administer oaths, take testimony, rule on questions of evidence, and make determinations of fact. | administrative process | The procedure used by administrative agencies in the administration of law. | Bill of Rights | The first ten amendments to the U.S. Constitution. | binding authority | Any source of law that a court must follow when deciding a case. Binding authorities include constitutions, statutes, and regulations that govern the issue being decided, as well as court decisions that are controlling precedents within the jurisdiction. | case law | The rules of law announced in court decisions. Case law includes the aggregate of reported cases that interpret judicial precedents, statutes, regulations, and constitutional provisions. | citation | A reference to a publication in which a legal authority—such as a statute or a court decision—or other source