The role of a mini-jury or magistrate in a quasi-judicial format is to:

• A. Decide the case with a full verdict
• B. Preside over the proceeding and hear abbreviated evidence
• C. Draft legal opinions for the parties
• D. Represent the parties in court

Answer: (B)

In a quasi-judicial setting, the decision-maker acts as an impartial administrator who runs the hearing and evaluates the evidence. The role is to preside over the proceeding and hear abbreviated evidence, gathering the facts and applying the applicable rules to issue a decision. This setup is less formal than a full court trial, with streamlined procedures, but still aims to be fair and provide a reasoned ruling. They are not there to advocate for a party, nor to draft legal opinions for the parties, and they do not render a full jury verdict; instead they issue an order, findings, or a recommendation based on the evidence presented, which may be subject to appeal.