Opinion ID: 1754584
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: did the board of nursing violate any statutory and/or constitutional rights of terry lynn hanson by revoking her nursing license?

Text: ¶ 23. This issue was not addressed in the trial court's decision to reverse the findings of the Nursing Board. This issue can be divided into two questions. Did the Board afford Hanson due process? Was the Board biased? The answer appears clear as to the first issue. Hanson was informed of the time and place of the hearing. She was also informed that she had the right to appear, either personally or by counsel, or both, to produce witnesses or evidence in her behalf, to have subpoenas issued by the Board, and to cross-examine any witnesses introduced by the Board. Hanson took advantage of all the aforementioned rights at the hearing. This Court has held this process to be satisfactory in regard to the due process requirements of both the Mississippi and the United States Constitutions. Mississippi State Board of Nursing v. Wilson, 624 So.2d 485, 494-495 (Miss. 1993). ¶ 24. Hanson also argues that the Board was biased because she had named each member individually in a federal lawsuit, therefore she could not receive a fair hearing. Hanson claims that the Board conducted the hearing in such a manner as to deprive her of justice. The Board counters Hanson's assertions by quoting the opinion of United Cement v. Safe Air for the Environment, Inc., 558 So.2d 840, 842-843, which states: Administrative hearings of the character involved here are not trials and they are not governed by the same rules which apply in a court of law. New South Communications v. Answer Iowa, Inc., 490 So.2d 1225, 1227 (Miss. 1986). Further, there is a presumption that the officers conducting the hearing and the members of the Board behave honestly and fairly in the conduct of the hearings and in the decision-making process. Harrison County School Board v. Morreale, 538 So.2d 1196, 1202 (Miss. 1989). Absent some showing of personal or financial interest on the part of the hearing officer or evidence of misconduct on the officer's part, this presumption is not overcome. Hanson did not meet the standard required by United Cement because she showed neither pecuniary interest by the Board in revoking her license, nor prejudgment by the Board. As evidence, Hanson points to the federal lawsuit. In voir dire at the hearing, each member of the Board stated that they had no knowledge of the lawsuit. The lawsuit in question seeks injunctive relief not damages, so there is no pecuniary interest by the Board even if they were aware of the lawsuit. ¶ 25. Hanson makes repeated objections to the way the hearing was conducted. The Board is correct in citing New South Communications, in that the hearing does not have to meet trial standards. Hanson does not meet the standard required by United Cement, therefore, this issue should be decided in favor of the Board.