Your failure to appear may result in a denial of all rights of further appeal. The hearing is a fact-finding process. It is like a trial, but not as formal. The appeal hearing is carefully controlled by the Hearing Officer. The hearing will begin with the Hearing Officer making an opening statement about what will happen during the hearing.
All testimony is given under oath and is tape-recorded.
The Hearing Officer will begin receiving testimony by swearing in the first Department witness. The burden of proof varies depending on the issue. The party carrying the burden of proof usually presents their case first. The Hearing Officer will allow the Department and its witnesses to tell their story. You will be allowed to cross-examine each of the Department's witnesses.