Appearing Before the Hearing Officer
If a violation carries a bail recommendation for permit suspension or revocation, the permit holder must appear before the Hearing Officer to resolve the citation.
The Administrator understands that emergencies arise which may prevent the permit holder from being able to appear before the Hearing Officer on the scheduled hearing date. If such an emergency should arise, the permit holder must call the hearings coordinator at 702.668.4014 to request a continuance as soon as the permit holder becomes aware that they cannot attend the scheduled hearing. Continuances are granted at the pleasure of the Administrator, with no guarantee that a continuance will be granted.
Should the permit holder not attend at the scheduled date and time before the Hearing Officer, the permit holder may be deemed a FAILURE TO APPEAR (FTA). If an FTA is registered against the permit holder, he/she will then owe the full amount of the citation (minimum $100) to the administrative court, and could face probable suspension or possible revocation of his/her permits.
Any witnesses that the permit holder wishes to testify before the Hearing Officer must be present at the time of the hearing. The Hearing Officer will not allow telephone testimony by any witnesses. If the permit holder has any documentary evidence for the Hearing Officer to review, he/she must have it with them, and must provide a suitable number of copies for the Hearing Officer and the prosecutor. The Hearing Officer may exclude any evidence that is not provided to all involved parties.
Standard of Conduct
While in the hearing room, all permit holders must maintain the same standard of conduct that dictates his/her actions in accordance with NRS 706.8845. The permit holder must be respectful of the Hearing Officer, Taxicab Authority staff, and other parties to the case at all times. During the proceeding the Hearing Officer may be referred to as “your honor”, or “judge”. Any disruptive or disrespectful behavior by the permit holder or his/her witnesses will not be tolerated. Nevada law empowers the Hearing Officer to direct the court bailiff to remove any disruptive parties.
No weapons are allowed in the courtroom.
No smoking, eating, drinking, or chewing gum in the courtroom.
No shorts, tank tops, or T-shirts which show offensive slogans or pictures are allowed in the courtroom.
Closed toe shoes are required.
Hats should be removed before entering the courtroom.
Sit quietly when Court is in session and do not talk or whisper while Court is in session;.
Court proceedings are recorded by a court reporter and noise can interfere with the creation of this important record.
Avoid bringing children to court. If it is necessary to do so, please monitor their behavior so they remain quiet at all times; parents may be asked to leave the courtroom if their child becomes noisy or unruly.
All beepers, cellular telephones, and electronic devices must be turned off prior to entering the courtroom.
Avoid reading newspapers or books in the courtrooms, particularly if such material may be a distraction.
PLEADINGS:
When the permit holder is issued a citation there will be an arraignment date at the bottom of the citation. That date is the initial opportunity for the permit holder to appear before at the Taxicab Authority to enter a plea with the hearing coordinator regarding the charges listed on the citation.
The permit holder may enter one of three pleas at his/her initial appearance:
GUILTY: If a guilty plea is entered, no trial will take place. The permit holder will be given the opportunity to resolve the citation as listed above, unless the suggested bail involves suspension or revocation of the permit.
NOT GUILTY: If a not guilty plea is entered the permit holder will be scheduled for a hearing before the Hearing Officer. At the hearing the Taxicab Authority will be required to establish that the violation occurred. Following the hearing, the Hearing Officer will make a determination as to guilt or innocence. If the Hearing Officer finds the permit holder guilty, discipline commensurate with the violation will be imposed.
NO CONTEST: Referred to in the law as nolo contendere (Latin for “I will not contest”). If the permit holder enters this plea, he/she still must appear before the Hearing Officer. At the hearing, the permit holder will not contest the charges in the citation, but wishes to provide the Hearing Officer with an explanation of the circumstances surrounding the citation. While technically not an admission of guilt for the violation, the Hearing Officer will treat a plea of "no contest" as such an admission and proceed to find the permit holder guilty as charged.
At the hearing, the permit holder may request that the Hearing Officer DISMISS the citation if he/she believes that the citation is without merit. If the Hearing Officer denies the request for dismissal, the permit holder must proceed with the hearing under his/her original plea, and will be required to have any witnesses and evidence with them.
Each permit holder and his/her witnesses must understand the Hearing Officer will only address those issues and charges listed on the citation. The permit holder cannot use the hearing before the Hearing Officer as an opportunity to express personal views about the Taxicab Authority, taxicab companies, or other permit holders. The permit holder must be succinct, direct, and should speak only to the charges on the citation.
Appeals
The permit holder can appeal the decision of the Hearing Officer to the Taxicab Authority Board in accordance with NRS 706.8819 & 706.8822.