2016 Wesleyan Discipline:5058

5058. The following order should be observed in conducting a hearing:

(1) Devotions.

(2) Statement of purpose, the reading of the official action ordering the hearing, and the announcement of the members of the judicatory, by the chair of the judicatory.

(3) Reading of the accusation and specifications by the secretary, unless waived.

(4) Answer by the accused or the counsel for the accused with a plea of “guilty” or “not guilty.” If guilt is confessed, the judicatory may thereupon consider the discipline to be imposed, if any, and terminate the hearing, or it may request to hear the evidence in order to make a more proper determination of the matter and the disciplines to be imposed.

(5) Statement of the matter and outline of the procedure by the manager.

(6) Evidence submitted by the accused and cross-examination by the accused.

(7) Statement of the matter and line of defense by the accused.

(8) Evidence for the accused and cross-examination by the manager.

(9) Rebuttal by the manager.

(10) Rebuttal by the accused.

(11) Summary of the matter by the manager.

(12) Summary of the matter by the accused.

(13) Should it be deemed proper to allow the manager to reply, the accused shall also be permitted to reply.

(14) Instructions by the chair to the judicatory concerning the duties assigned to it as set forth in this General Board Policy for Church Discipline and Ministerial Restoration and especially to render a verdict in not more than three days, if possible, and to vote separately on each charge, with a two-thirds vote of all the members required to render a verdict of guilty. Members of the judicatory who have been absent from more than one sitting shall not be permitted to vote on the verdict.

(15) The verdict, stated only as guilty or not guilty.

(16) Communication of the verdict to the accused.

(17) Communication by the chair of the verdict, and the recommendations, if any, being made to the official body having jurisdiction over the accused.