Opinion ID: 2389825
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 4

Heading: Post Deprivation Hearings

Text: Although we believe that the prerevocation hearing afforded by the Presiding Justice comports with the minimum standards required by due process of law, we recognize that neither the statute nor the rule provided instructions concerning the nature and the extent of the hearing to be provided. Consequently it cannot be stated with certainty that petitioner or his counsel was made fully aware in advance of the hearing of the requirement that they should produce such witnesses as petitioner deemed to be needed in establishing his defense. We can also not state with certainty that petitioner was aware that he might have asked for a continuance in order to explain or rebut the false statement that was contained in his renewal application. Therefore, in order to give petitioner every opportunity to present evidence or argument to resist the revocation of his bondsman license, we deem it appropriate to allow petitioner an additional hearing before the Presiding Justice in the light of his full knowledge of his obligation to present evidence on all these issues. It will then be the obligation of the petitioner to present such witnesses as he deems to be necessary or advantageous to the furtherance of his cause. Such witnesses would include, if he deems it fit, the chief clerk, Jerome Smith, and the clerical assistant, Sherri Rossi. He should also be prepared to explain or rebut inferences that would properly be drawn from the misstatement of real estate value contained in his application. For the reasons stated, the petition for certiorari is denied in part and granted in part. The papers in the case may be remanded to the Superior Court with our decision endorsed thereon for an additional hearing to be conducted in accordance with this opinion.