In a violation hearing, who presents evidence first?

• A. Board or person who filed the charge.
• B. The respondent.
• C. The public defender.
• D. Closing statements.

Answer: (A)

In violation hearings, the party bringing the charge carries the burden of proof and thus presents the first evidence. The board or the person who filed the charge lays out the allegations, introducing documents and witnesses to establish the factual basis for the violation. After that, the respondent presents their defense, may call witnesses, and can challenge the opposing evidence. The public defender is part of the defense, not the one who starts the evidence, and closing statements occur only after all evidence has been presented. This ordering helps ensure the accusation is established before defenses are evaluated.