Approval rates
Evaluating a judge's history requires looking at the broader context of their hearing office. The 51% approval rate for Charles C. Pearce is based on 1,110 decisions on record since 2016. When compared to the 25% to 76% range of other judges whose most recent office on record is Hattiesburg, this figure illustrates the variance in decision-making patterns. These aggregate rates describe past decisions rather than predicting the outcome of your specific hearing.
SSA has not published a latest-period approval, fully favorable or denial breakdown for Judge Pearce. The most recent period with decisions on record is September 28, 2018. Those rows are left out rather than estimated.
Approval rate over time
Year-over-year approval rate across Judge Pearce's docket. Annual rates fluctuate with the mix of cases SSA assigns; the longer-run pattern is more informative than any single year.
Decision pattern
The approval rate for Charles C. Pearce showed movement across the 1,110 decisions on record since 2016. After an approval rate of 47% in 2016, the figures rose to 56% in 2017 before adjusting to 49% in 2018. This trend indicates that the decision-making pattern has remained within a consistent range over the recorded period. These fluctuations are common and often reflect changes in the complexity of cases or the quality of evidence presented during a given year.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Pearce's bench. Judge-specific preparation guidance requires a corpus of public Appeals Council decisions involving each judge, which we haven't built yet.
- Bring a clean treating-physician record. Longitudinal primary-care or specialist notes spanning the disability period, with consistent symptom documentation, are typically the strongest evidence at hearing. A single month's records usually aren't enough.
- Don't rely on consultative exams alone. If your medical evidence is built primarily around a one-time CE finding, expect detailed questioning. Supplement with treating-source statements where possible.
- Prepare for daily-activity questions. Have honest, specific answers about a typical day. Answers that conflict with the medical record (in either direction) tend to hurt credibility.
- Expect transferable-skills probing. A vocational expert will usually testify about jobs available to someone with your limitations. Your representative should be prepared to cross-examine.
About the Hattiesburg hearing office
Charles C. Pearce's most recent office on record is the Hattiesburg hearing office, with decisions there through September 2018. This office serves the surrounding region of Mississippi and is staffed by a bench of 11 judges whose most recent record is at this location. You can expect a formal process where the quality of your medical evidence is the primary factor in your decision. You can see the Hattiesburg Hearing Office page for the full ALJ roster.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is Hattiesburg
The Social Security Administration utilizes a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, meaning the judge you are assigned is essentially random. Within the Hattiesburg hearing office, there are 11 judges whose most recent office on record is this location. These judges show a wide range of approval rates, spanning from 25% to 76% on their records since 2016. Your preparation remains the same regardless of which judge is assigned to your case.
Approval rates change with a lawyer
Source: U.S. Government Accountability Office, GAO-18-37. The 3× gap is a population-wide average across all judges; individual outcomes vary.
Frequently asked questions
Judge Pearce holds a 51% approval rate on record since 2016. This sits within the 25% to 76% range observed among the 11 judges whose most recent office on record is Hattiesburg. An attorney can help you prepare your case regardless of which judge is assigned to your hearing.
The approval rate for Judge Pearce was 47% in 2016, 56% in 2017, and 49% in 2018. This indicates a steady pattern of decision-making over the recorded window. If you are concerned about how these trends affect your claim, an attorney can help you review your options.
No. The Social Security Administration assigns cases using a workload-balancing algorithm to ensure efficiency. You cannot request a specific judge, which is why working with an attorney to prepare for any potential outcome is recommended.
An SSDI hearing is a formal proceeding where a judge reviews your medical evidence and testimony. You will likely be asked questions about your work history and physical or mental limitations. An attorney can help you prepare your testimony and organize your evidence for the hearing.
The 51% approval rate for Judge Pearce is a statistical summary of past decisions and not a prediction for your specific hearing. Every case is unique, and the strength of your medical evidence is the most important factor. An attorney can help you evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of your specific case.
