After the judge hears the evidence at the initial hearing, the judge will decide whether the government may proceed. If so, the judge will appoint three disinterested property owners to be "commissioners". These commissioners range from attorneys to real estate appraisers to housewives. They typically look at the property and hold informal hearings whereby testimony and documents are offered by the property owner's attorney and experts and by the government's representatives. The Commissioners' Hearing is typically held within two months of the initial hearing described above.



