Who decides whether I win or lose at the hearing?

There are several possible decision makers. Many hearings are held before Administrative Law Judges. Any decision from the Administrative Law Judge may be appealed to the agency itself. Or a hearing could be held before members of the agency that will decide your case.  Whomever decides your case, a decision will be based on the statements of the witnesses and on the documents that were introduced at the hearing. Iowa Code § 17A.11(1) (2005).