The rules regarding evidence admissibility in administrative hearings are relaxed, but the evidence admitted must always be relevant and reliable. This class will involve an in-depth discussion of those requirements with special attention given to how to determine whether offered evidence is reliable. The adjudicator’s responsibility to see that a foundation is laid for evidence will be reviewed, including neutral questions to ask self-represented parties so that they may lay the foundation for the evidence they offer, including the testimony of their witnesses. Special attention will be given to what is meant by the weight of evidence, the process of weighing evidence, and the evidentiary thresholds that must be met for a party to satisfy their burden of proof.