State agencies that make decisions that could affect people's "rights, duties, and privileges" must have a process for holding contested case hearings.
The purpose of these hearings is to provide the decision-makers with the most complete and relevant information they need to make a proper decision.
Section 5 USC 556(d) contains the fundamental right to cross examine evidence used in adjudicative hearings on the record.
A sanction may not be imposed or rule or order issued except on consideration of the whole record or those parts thereof cited by a party and supported by and in accordance with the reliable, probative, and substantial evidence.
In rule making or determining claims for money or benefits or applications for initial licenses an agency may, when a party will not be prejudiced thereby, adopt procedures for the submission of all or part of the evidence in written form.