Section 18.4 - Preliminary hearings(a) A grantee determined to be in noncompliance with the nondiscrimination provisions of the Crime Control Act, the Juvenile Justice Act or the Victims of Crime Act may request a preliminary hearing within 90 days after receipt of the notification of noncompliance.(b) The preliminary hearing shall be initiated within 30 days of the request.(c) The sole issue to be adjudicated by the hearing officer is whether the grantee is likely to prevail on the merits of the issue at a full hearing requested under 28 CFR 42.215 . The grantee shall have the burden of persuading the hearing officer that the grantee is likely to prevail on the merits.(d) The hearing officer may permit the parties to argue the issue by briefs, oral argument, or the presentation of testimony and exhibits. The hearing officer shall accept as evidence documents and other exhibits which can reasonably be authenticated and subjected to cross-examination at a full hearing.(e) The hearing officer shall make the final decision on the issue within 15 days after the conclusion of the preliminary hearing.