Which statement best describes the evidentiary standard under substantial evidence review?

Which statement best describes the evidentiary standard under substantial evidence review?

• A. A comprehensive record containing reliable, relevant, probative evidence that a reasonable mind could accept as adequate.
• B. The agency's conclusions must be infallible.
• C. A court may substitute its own judgment if it disagrees.
• D. The agency's findings are presumed correct without evidence.

Answer: (A)

Under substantial evidence review, the court defers to the agency’s factual findings as long as the record contains evidence that a reasonable person would consider adequate to support those findings. Substantial evidence means more than a mere scintilla; it can be any reliable, relevant, probative material in the record that a reasonable mind could accept as adequate to justify the agency’s conclusion. The agency’s conclusions need not be perfect or infallible, and the court won’t substitute its own judgment simply because it would decide differently if substantial evidence supports the agency. There isn’t a blanket presumption that agency findings are correct without evidence; they must be grounded in the record.

Under substantial evidence review, the court defers to the agency’s factual findings as long as the record contains evidence that a reasonable person would consider adequate to support those findings. Substantial evidence means more than a mere scintilla; it can be any reliable, relevant, probative material in the record that a reasonable mind could accept as adequate to justify the agency’s conclusion. The agency’s conclusions need not be perfect or infallible, and the court won’t substitute its own judgment simply because it would decide differently if substantial evidence supports the agency. There isn’t a blanket presumption that agency findings are correct without evidence; they must be grounded in the record.