39 C.F.R. § 952.17 Presiding officers.
Title 39 - Postal Service
(a) The presiding officer at any hearing shall be an Administrative Law Judge qualified in accordance with law or the Judicial Officer (39 U.S.C. 204). The Chief Administrative Law Judge shall assign cases to Administrative Law Judges upon rotation so far as practicable. The Judicial Officer may, for good cause shown, preside at the reception of evidence in proceedings where expedited hearings are requested by either party. (b) The presiding officer shall have authority to: (1) Administer oaths and affirmations; (2) Examine witnesses; (3) Rule upon offers of proof, admissibility of evidence and matters of procedure; (4) Order any pleading amended upon motion of a party at any time prior to the close of the hearing; (5) Maintain discipline and decorum and exclude from the hearing any person acting in an indecorous manner; (6) Require the filing of briefs or memoranda of law on any matter upon which he is required to rule; (7) Order prehearing conferences for the purpose of the settlement or simplification of issues by the parties; (8) Order the proceeding reopened at any time prior to his decision for the receipt of additional evidence; (9) Render an initial decision, which becomes the final Agency decision unless a timely appeal is taken: The Judicial Officer may issue a tentative or a final decision; (10) Rule upon applications and requests filed under §952.19 and §952.21. [36 FR 11563, June 16, 1971, as amended at 38 FR 17216, June 29, 1973; 38 FR 20263, July 30, 1973; 44 FR 61960, Oct. 29, 1979; 65 FR 32027, May 22, 2000]
Title 39: Postal Service
PART 952—RULES OF PRACTICE IN PROCEEDINGS RELATIVE TO FALSE REPRESENTATION AND LOTTERY ORDERS
§ 952.17 Presiding officers.
