Section 39-1-15-106 - Order of Procedure1. Opening the Evidentiary HearingThe Commission may open the hearing by making a concise statement of its scope and purposes and by taking appearances of each party or the party's authorized representative.
2. Order of Procedure in Evidentiary Hearingsa. The party with the burden of proof on the whole proceeding shall be entitled to open and to close. Parties may be allowed to make opening statements. Following opening statements, if any, the party with the burden of proof shall be allowed to proceed with its direct case. Opposing parties shall be allowed to cross-examination each witness, consistent with any order aligning parties. Each party shall then present its case and witnesses will be subjected to cross-examination. Unless otherwise ordered by the Commission for good cause, the Staff shall be the last party to present a direct case and the last party to cross examine witnesses.b. Redirect will be limited to matters raised in the round of examination immediately preceding the redirect. The Commission may allow recross examination.c. The party with the burden of proof may rebut evidence presented by opposing parties after all parties have presented their direct cases. Rebuttal may be afforded other parties at the Commission's discretion, provided that the party with the burden of proof shall be entitled to make the closing presentation.d. After parties have completed the presentation of evidence, and have been afforded the opportunity to cross-examine the other parties' witnesses, closing statements may be allowed.e. The Commission may question any witness testifying in a case.39 Miss. Code. R. 1-15-106