(a) Hearing Officer. A party may request that a justice of the peace, rather than a hearing officer, decide the lawsuit. A party must make this request in writing at least 15 days before the hearing date.

(b) Rescheduling a Hearing. As soon as possible, but at least 15 days before the hearing date, a party may file a request in writing to reschedule the hearing and deliver a copy to the other party. The request must include a good reason for rescheduling and, if possible, provide supporting documentation. The court may deny the request if a party does not provide a good reason for rescheduling, does not provide documentation for the request, or if the party has made previous requests to reschedule the hearing. The court will consider emergency requests (a request received less than 15 days before the hearing) only if the request also shows a good reason for not filing it earlier.

(d) Request to Appear by Telephone. If needed, the court may permit a party to appear by telephone at a hearing. The party must file a request to appear by telephone in writing at least 15 days before the hearing date. The request must contain that party's telephone number and the party must attach any documents, photographs, or other evidence the party wants to submit at the hearing. If the request is granted, the court will provide a phone number the party must call to appear telephonically at the hearing.

(e) Evidence at the Hearing. The justice of the peace or hearing officer will consider testimony from the parties and witnesses, and documents, and will decide the claims and any counterclaims. The justice of the peace or hearing officer may ask questions and permit the parties to ask questions of each other and witnesses. Formal rules of evidence do not apply. Any non-privileged evidence tending to make a fact at issue more or less probable is admissible unless the justice of the peace or the hearing officer determines the evidence lacks reliability, or will cause unfair prejudice or confusion, or waste time.

(f) Continuance. If a party believes the date set for the hearing does not allow adequate time to prepare or properly exercise other rights under these rules, such as filing a counterclaim or requesting transfer to the civil division, the party may ask the court for a continuance. If the justice of the peace or hearing officer finds that the party's rights have been harmed by the amount of time to prepare or properly exercise other rights under these rules, a continuance will be granted.