---
kind: "section"
citation: "7 C.F.R. § 1.329"
title: "7"
number: "1.329"
heading: "The hearing and burden of proof."
url: "https://uscodex.org/cfr/7/1.329"
---

# §1.329. The hearing and burden of proof.

- (a) The ALJ shall conduct a hearing on the record in order to determine whether the respondent is liable for a civil penalty or assessment under [§ 1.303](/cfr/7/1.303.md) of this part, and if so, the appropriate amount of any such civil penalty or assessment considering any aggravating or mitigating factors.
- (b) The USDA shall prove respondent's liability and any aggravating factors by a preponderance of the evidence.
- (c) The respondent shall prove any affirmative defenses and any mitigating factors by a preponderance of the evidence.
- (d) The hearing shall be open to the public unless otherwise ordered by the ALJ for good cause shown.

## Notes

### Authority

Authority: 31 U.S.C. 3801-3812.

### Source

Source: 56 FR 9582, Mar. 7, 1991, unless otherwise noted. Correctly designated at 57 FR 3909, Feb. 3, 1992.

### Authority

Authority: 5 U.S.C. 301, unless otherwise noted.