[Code of Federal Regulations]
[Title 20, Volume 2]
[Revised as of April 1, 2004]
From the U.S. Government Printing Office via GPO Access
[CITE: 20CFR498.216]

[Page 1205-1206]
 
                      TITLE 20--EMPLOYEES' BENEFITS
 
               CHAPTER III--SOCIAL SECURITY ADMINISTRATION
 
PART 498_CIVIL MONETARY PENALTIES, ASSESSMENTS AND RECOMMENDED EXCLUSIONS
--Table of Contents
 
Sec. 498.216  Witnesses.

    (a) Except as provided in paragraph (b) of this section, testimony 
at the hearing will be given orally by witnesses under oath or 
affirmation.
    (b) At the discretion of the ALJ, testimony (other than expert 
testimony) may be admitted in the form of a written statement. Any such 
written statement must be provided to all other parties along with the 
last known address of such witness, in a manner that allows sufficient 
time for other parties to subpoena such witness for cross-examination at 
the hearing. Prior written statements of witnesses proposed to testify 
at the hearing will be exchanged as provided in Sec. 498.208.
    (c) The ALJ will exercise reasonable control over the mode and order 
of witness direct and cross examination and evidence presentation so as 
to:
    (1) Make the examination and presentation effective for the 
ascertainment of the truth;
    (2) Avoid repetition or needless waste of time; and
    (3) Protect witnesses from harassment or undue embarrassment.
    (d) The ALJ may order witnesses excluded so that they cannot hear 
the testimony of other witnesses. This does not authorize exclusion of:
    (1) A party who is an individual;
    (2) In the case of a party that is not an individual, an officer or 
employee of

[[Page 1206]]

the party appearing for the entity pro se or designated as the party's 
representative; or
    (3) An individual whose presence is shown by a party to be essential 
to the presentation of its case, including an individual engaged in 
assisting the attorney for the Inspector General.

[61 FR 65471, Dec. 13, 1996]