(a) Parties, representatives, and other participants
at a hearing shall conduct themselves with dignity, show courtesy
and respect for one another and for the commission, and follow any
additional guidelines of decorum prescribed by the presiding officer,
including adherence to the amount of time allotted for the hearing.
Attorneys shall adhere to the standards of conduct in the Texas Lawyer's
Creed promulgated by the Supreme Court of Texas and the Court of Criminal
Appeals and the Texas Disciplinary Rules of Professional Conduct promulgated
by the Supreme Court of Texas.
(b) Attorneys should advise their clients and witnesses
of the applicable rules of conduct and decorum.
(c) All objections, arguments, and other comments by
parties shall be directed to the commission and not to an opposing
party.
(d) While a party is addressing the commission or questioning
a witness, any other party shall not interrupt for any purpose except
to make a valid objection.
(e) Parties shall not approach the dais without leave
of the presiding officer and must not lean on the dais.
(f) Parties shall remain seated at the counsel table
at all times except:
(1) when addressing the commission; and
(2) whenever it may be proper to handle documents,
exhibits, or other evidence.
(g) Parties must question witnesses and deliver arguments
to the commission while seated at the counsel table or standing at
the lectern. If a party seeks to question or argue from another location,
leave of the presiding officer must be requested and granted.
(h) Parties must request leave of the presiding officer
to conduct a demonstration.
(i) The presiding officer may take appropriate action
to maintain and enforce proper conduct and decorum, including:
(1) issuing a warning;
(2) sanctioning a party pursuant to §12.33 of
this chapter;
(3) excluding persons from the proceeding;
(4) recessing the proceeding; and
(5) clearing the hearing room of persons causing a
disruption.
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