Administrative hearings aren't particularly exciting to watch, but many crucial decisions are made here. Defense and prosecuting attorneys present motions, which are requests, to the judge during administrative hearings. These pre­trial motions can concern whether the trial should be held in another area, whether the judge should be replaced or even whether the charges against you can be dropped. A jury isn't present during an administrative hearing. The judge makes these decisions based on existing laws and how similar cases have been handled. The defense attorney represents you, so you may not even have to attend the hearing. Usually just the judge and both attorneys attend. This kind of hearing is usually brief and to the point. The judge isn't required to give a decision on the motions at the end of the hearing, although that's possible. The decisions made during the administrative hearing affect how the case is tried. For more information about administrative hearings, contact a local defense lawyer.