§ 9-17. Evidence.

(a)

In any hearing before the board or hearing officer, irrelevant, immaterial, or unduly repetitious evidence shall be excluded, but all other evidence of a type commonly relied upon by reasonably prudent persons in the conduct of their affairs shall be admissible, whether or not such evidence would be admissible in a trial in the courts of Florida. Any part of the evidence may be received in written form, and all testimony of parties and witnesses shall be made under oath. Hearsay evidence may be used for the purpose of supplementing or explaining other evidence, but it shall not be sufficient in itself to support a finding unless it would be admissible over objection in civil actions.

(b)

Documentary evidence may be received in the form of a copy or excerpt if the original is not readily available. Upon request, parties shall be given an opportunity to compare the copy with the original.

(c)

A party shall be permitted to conduct cross-examination when testimony is taken or documents are made a part of the record.

(d)

The rules of privilege shall be effective to the same extent that they are now or hereafter recognized in civil actions.

(e)

The board or hearing officer shall insure that a full record of the hearing is preserved, which record shall be public and open to inspection and transcription by any person.

(f)

The Office of the County Attorney shall represent the board and advise it as to the propriety and admissibility of evidence presented at a hearing before the board.

(Ord. No. 78-9, § 1, 1-18-78; Ord. No. 94-27, § 7, 5-10-94; Ord. No. 2001-09, § 15, 3-27-01; Ord. No. 2010-15, § 1, 4-13-10)