§ 17557. Evidence Submitted in Hearing.

Oral evidence shall be taken only on oath or affirmation.

Each party shall have these rights: to call and examine witnesses; to introduce exhibits; to cross-examine opposing witnesses on any matter relevant to the issue, even though that matter was not covered in the direct examination; to impeach any witness regardless of which party first called the witness to testify; and to rebut the evidence.

If appellants do not testify in their own behalf they may be called and examined as on cross-examination.

The hearing need not be conducted according to technical rules of evidence. Any relevant evidence shall be admitted if it is the sort of evidence on which responsible persons are accustomed to rely in the conduct of serious affairs.

Hearsay evidence shall be admitted and may be used for the purpose of supplementing or explaining any direct evidence, but shall not be sufficient in itself to support a dismissal, suspension, or demotion unless it is the type of hearsay admissible over objection in a civil action. The rules of privilege shall be effective to the same extent to which they are now or may hereafter be recognized in civil actions.

Irrelevant and unduly repetitious evidence shall be excluded.

Note

Note: Authority cited: Section 19803, Government Code. Reference: Section 19800, Government Code.