In AP Style, the title “Administrative Law Judge” should be capitalized when used as a formal title before a person’s name. However, it should not be capitalized when used in a general sense or when referring to multiple people.
AP Style also gives a guideline to write down the federal title ‘Administrative Law Judge’. This particular title refers a formal title for a person who serves as a professional hearing officer.
If you are using this title as a formal title, then you should capitalize it and write it before a name. For example,
• Administrative Law Judge Tammy Pust.
However, you can also write this title by setting off commas. In this way, you do not need to capitalize this title. For example,
• The administrative law judge, Tammy Pust, will not be present today.
Furthermore, if you are not referring this title as formal or you are referring more than one person, then you should not capitalize this particular title. For example,
1. Application has been sent to the agency’s administrative law judge.
2. SEC’s administrative law judges will hold their specific positions.
When to Use Commas with “Administrative Law Judge”
When the title “Administrative Law Judge” is not used formally before a person’s name, commas should be used to set off the title from the rest of the sentence. In this case, the title is lowercase and is not capitalized. For example:
- The administrative law judge, Tammy Pust, will not be present today. Here, the title is used as an informal reference, with the judge’s name following the title.
How to Refer to Multiple Administrative Law Judges
When referring to more than one administrative law judge, the title should be written in lowercase and without capitalization, unless it starts a sentence. For example:
- The agency’s administrative law judges are scheduled to review the case tomorrow.
- Several administrative law judges will be attending the conference.
This keeps the term general and non-specific, distinguishing it from the use of a formal title for a single person.
The Difference Between Formal and Informal Use of Titles
A formal use of “Administrative Law Judge” is when the title is placed directly before the person’s name and is capitalized. In contrast, when used informally or in general references, the title is not capitalized and may be set off by commas. For example:
- Formal: Administrative Law Judge Tammy Pust will hear the case.
- Informal: The administrative law judge, Tammy Pust, is on leave this week.
The distinction ensures that the title remains consistent with its level of importance or formality.
Examples of Administrative Law Judge in Sentences
Here are some examples of how “Administrative Law Judge” can be used correctly in sentences:
Formal Use:
- Administrative Law Judge John Smith will oversee the hearing.
Informal Use with Commas:
- The administrative law judge, John Smith, has ruled in favor of the plaintiff.
Multiple Judges:
- The administrative law judges will gather next week to discuss the new policy.
Check Out: How Do We Write State Names In AP Style?
What Did You Learn?
The title should be capitalized and placed before a name when used formally, such as “Administrative Law Judge Tammy Pust.”