Amendatory Hearing for Walnuts
April 20-21, 2020
USDA will mute all audience microphones throughout the hearing except for the those of the judge, the court reporter, USDA staff, California Walnut Board (CWB) personnel, and the current witness.
On screen appearances will be limited to the judge, the court reporter, USDA staff, the current witness, and, when cross examining, CWB personnel.
- To ask a question (cross examine) as a member of the audience:
- Via ZOOM audio/video: Use the “raise hand” function found on the toolbar below your live screen. The judge will call you to speak as USDA unmutes your microphone.
- Via phone: When the judge opens the floor to individuals participating by phone, USDA will unmute all microphones to enable you to ask your question(s). The judge will determine the sequence of individuals asking their question(s).
- To object to violation of a procedural rule (for instance, if you believe an exhibit is not authentic, relevant, and/or material to the hearing):
- Via ZOOM audio/video: Use the “raise hand” function found on the toolbar below your live screen. The judge will call you to speak as USDA unmutes your microphone.
- Via phone: Send a text message “OBJECTION” with your FIRST AND LAST NAME to (559) 290-0571. The judge will call you to speak as USDA unmutes your microphone.
- You cannot use objections to testify or cross-examine witnesses.
- To testify (if you did not pre-register):
- The judge will periodically ask participants if there are any individuals wanting to testify. Microphones of all participants will be unmuted at this time. You may voice your interest then to be added to the list of witnesses.
- You may send an email message to walnut.hearing@usda.gov with a statement of wanting to testify with your name and contact phone number.
- You may call Andrew Hatch at (202) 720-6862 and email your exhibit to walnut.hearing@usda.gov.
- To obtain technical support:
- If a witness loses connectivity while speaking, the judge will pause the hearing until that individual can re-establish contact and complete their testimony. If that is not possible, the judge will call the next witness to testify until such time the cut-off witness can rejoin the hearing.
- If a cross-examiner loses connectivity while speaking, USDA technical team will work with that individual off-line to re-establish connectivity. In the interim, the judge will call on the next cross-examiner in order to maintain efficiency in the hearing progress.
- For technical support and troubleshooting, contact Jeffery Davis at (202) 306-2673.