Opinion ID: 1856916
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 8

Heading: hearings examiner

Text: Appellant maintains that the hearings examiner was general counsel for appellee and thus the hearing violated the statutory requirements of SDCL 1-26-26 and appellant's right of due process. We note that the hearings examiner asked questions at the hearing but did not appear to act as an advocate for the appellee. Appellant, from the record, appears to have consented to the matter being heard by this particular hearings examiner. [2] Moreover, appellant could have offered proof before the trial court under SDCL 1-26-35 at the second hearing regarding his claim of procedural irregularity in that SDCL 1-26-26 was allegedly violated and failed to do so. At the second hearing, appellant could have conceivably established some type of evidentiary record on his claimed procedural irregularity before the agency. However, appellant failed to do so. Appellant, for the first time, now asks that we address this issue particularly in light of Gottschalk v. Hegg, 89 S.D. 89, 228 N.W.2d 640 (1975), asserting that in this case there has been a combination of advocate and judge which is a highly questionable function and very likely to violate due process. We hold, however, that appellant has waived this issue. Issues not presented at the trial court level are not properly before this Court. Weaver v. Boortz, 301 N.W.2d 673 (S.D.1981); Estate of Assmus, 254 N.W.2d 159 (S.D.1977).