Virginia Law

All testimony in the administrative hearing must be recorded either stenographically or by mechanical means. All documents or other evidence received are also part of the record and must be maintained. In addition, a record must be maintained of all evidence offered but excluded. See Rule 2A: 3 (c) of the Rules of the Supreme Court of Virginia. As a matter of practice, it would be appropriate for the hearing officer to conditionally receive evidence and thereafter, if it is excludable, to avoid considering it in making the decision. In this way, if it is determined on judicial review that the hearing officer erroneously decided that the evidence was excludable, the case can be remanded for reconsideration of the evidence submitted but rejected as exhibits.