Rule 605. Hearings.
(a) Requests for hearings. All requests for hearings shall be addressed to the Board c/o The Administrative Office of Pennsylvania Courts, Department of Judicial Education, 601 Commonwealth Avenue, Harrisburg, Pennsylvania 17106. All matters shall be heard by the Board, unless in the discretion of the Board Chair, the matter should proceed as otherwise provided in this rule.
(b) In the discretion of the Board’s Chair, a matter initially may be assigned to a Board member or panel of Board members for decision. If the hearing is conducted by more than one (1) person, the Chair of the Board shall designate the person who will act as the presiding hearing officer. Within thirty (30) days after the hearing, the member or panel shall submit a recommendation to the Board.
(c) After receipt of the member or panel’s recommendation, the Board shall review the matter based upon the existing record, or in its discretion, conduct such further proceedings as it deems appropriate, or review the matter de novo.
(d) At all hearings, the petitioner shall have the burden of proof of establishing compliance with these rules by a preponderance of the evidence. Counsel for the Department shall represent the Department it if chooses to participate in any proceeding.
(e) At the hearing, any party shall have the opportunity to call witnesses, examine and cross-examine witnesses, and to introduce such evidence as is relevant to the proceeding. Evidence shall be admitted by the Board, and as long as discretion is not abused, the Board shall not be restrained by technical Rules of Evidence.
(f) All hearings shall be confidential, and shall not be open to the public, except at the request of the judge. Witnesses shall be sworn and a complete electronic record or a transcript shall be made. The presiding hearing officer shall have authority to rule on all motions, objections, and other matters presented.
(g) In investigations and proceedings under these rules, the Board shall have power to issue subpoenas and cause testimony to be taken under oath before the Board or Board members. All subpoenas shall be issued in the name and under the seal of the Supreme Court and served as provided by the Rules of Civil Procedure. Fees and costs of the subpoenas shall be paid from the funds of the Board or taxed as costs, as determined by the Board.
(h) The member, panel, or Board, as the case may be, may order the testimony of a witness to be taken by deposition within or without this Commonwealth in the manner prescribed for the taking of depositions in the Rules of Civil Procedure and the depositions may be used to the same extent as permitted under those rules. Costs for the taking of a deposition shall be paid from the funds of the Board or taxed as costs, as determined by the Board.
(i) Within a reasonable time after the conclusion of a proceeding, the Board shall issue its decision. A copy of the Board’s decision shall be promptly mailed to the judge by the Department.
(j) If a judge is deemed to be noncompliant, a request for a hearing shall not operate as a stay or supersedeas of any action taken by the Board with respect to the judge’s noncompliance, unless upon application and good cause shown, the Board grants a stay or supersedeas of its action.
(k) A judge aggrieved by a Board decision may request reconsideration. There is no right to appeal provided under these rules.
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