Legal Definitions - board of review

A board of review is an independent body established to re-examine decisions made by another authority, typically a government agency or department. Its primary purpose is to ensure fairness, accuracy, and adherence to established rules when individuals or entities believe an initial decision was incorrect or unjust. These boards provide an opportunity for an impartial second look at a matter, often serving as an intermediate step before a case might proceed to a court of law.

Boards of review can operate in various contexts, including:

• Reviewing decisions made by administrative agencies (e.g., regarding benefits, permits, or licenses).
• Re-evaluating property tax assessments to ensure they are fair and accurate.
• In some municipalities, examining allegations of misconduct against law enforcement officers.

Here are some examples illustrating how a board of review functions:

• Example 1: Unemployment Benefits Appeal

  After being laid off, Maria applied for unemployment benefits, but her application was initially denied because the state agency believed she voluntarily resigned. Maria believes this is incorrect and that she was involuntarily terminated due to company restructuring. She can appeal this denial to an unemployment board of review. This board will independently examine the evidence, such as her termination letter, company records, and her testimony, to determine if the initial decision was accurate. If the board finds in her favor, the original denial will be overturned, and she will receive her benefits.

• Example 2: Property Tax Assessment Challenge

  The city sent Mr. Henderson his annual property tax assessment, which valued his home significantly higher than comparable properties in his neighborhood that recently sold. He believes his property has been overvalued, leading to an unfairly high tax bill. Mr. Henderson can present his case to the local property tax board of review. He would provide evidence, such as recent appraisal reports or sales data for similar homes, to argue that his assessment should be lowered. The board would then review his evidence against the city's assessment methods and decide whether to adjust his property's taxable value.

• Example 3: Police Misconduct Complaint

  In a major metropolitan area, a citizen, Ms. Davies, filed a complaint alleging that a police officer used excessive force during a routine traffic stop. The police department's internal affairs unit conducted an initial investigation, but Ms. Davies feels their findings did not adequately address her concerns or fully investigate the incident. In this city, Ms. Davies could appeal the internal affairs' findings to a civilian board of review for police misconduct. This independent board would re-examine the evidence, witness statements, body camera footage, and the officer's report to determine if the initial investigation was thorough and if the officer's actions were justified according to departmental policy and law.