33 CFR § 20.702 - Burden of proof.

---
identifier: "/us/cfr/t33/s20.702"
source: "ecfr"
legal_status: "authoritative_unofficial"
title: "33 CFR § 20.702 - Burden of proof."
title_number: 33
title_name: "Navigation and Navigable Waters"
section_number: "20.702"
section_name: "Burden of proof."
chapter_name: "COAST GUARD, DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY"
subchapter_number: "A"
subchapter_name: "GENERAL"
part_number: "20"
part_name: "RULES OF PRACTICE, PROCEDURE, AND EVIDENCE FOR FORMAL ADMINISTRATIVE PROCEEDINGS OF THE COAST GUARD"
positive_law: false
currency: "2026-03-24"
last_updated: "2026-03-24"
format_version: "1.1.0"
generator: "[email protected]"
authority: "33 U.S.C. 1321; 42 U.S.C. 9609; 46 U.S.C. 7701, 7702; Department of Homeland Security Delegation No. 0170.1, para. 2(73)."
regulatory_source: "CGD 98-3472, 64 FR 28062, May 24, 1999, unless otherwise noted."
cfr_part: "20"
---


# 20.702 Burden of proof.

(a) Except for an affirmative defense, or as provided by paragraph (b) of this section, the Coast Guard bears the burden of proof.

(b) Except as otherwise provided by statute or rule, the proponent of a motion, request, or order bears the burden of proof.