• Be thoroughly familiar with the case in order to testify and answer questions of others present at the hearing.
• Review the hearing procedure.
  
• Prior to the hearing, take all steps necessary to assure that relevant and material evidence will be available at the hearing on each of the charges and on the issues of disposition.

Such steps may include:

• seeking help and advice from supervisors, colleagues, and treatment staff other than the hearing officer
• investigating alternative parole placements
• preparing any documents, such as summaries or treatment plans, to enter in evidence or to consult in presentation
• obtaining any documents, such as police reports, letters, or school reports from sources outside the Department
• interviewing persons who would be credible and reliable witnesses on any of the issues
• checking the evidence available to assure that it is clear and concise, relevant and direct or verified, whenever possible.

• At the hearing, the parole officer may do the following:
  • Use and take notes.
  • Refer to any documents, identifying their source, date and author, subject to admissibility by the hearing officer.
  • Give opinions and recommendations within the scope of his specialized education or recognized expertise.
  • Testify, present witnesses, examine documents, and examine witnesses to the extent necessary to assure that the hearing officer is accurately informed of the facts.

• Assist the child in presenting the facts fully and accurately at the hearing, observing the informal but orderly manner of the conduct of the hearing.
• Assist the child in requesting the presence of witnesses and obtaining documents.

and may

• Examine any documents or evidence in the possession of the Department to the extent this right is available to the child, or, if an attorney, to the extent possible under CONN. GEN. STAT. §17a-28, Confidentiality of and Access to Records.

Note: No fees shall be paid by the Department to any representative chosen or appointed.

The language interpreter shall be fluent in English and in the second language used in the hearing.

When the child, a witness or party is less than fluent in English, the parole officer, prior to the hearing shall notify the hearings officer who shall decide if the services of a qualified language interpreter from an outside agency are needed.

An interested party may serve as interpreter when the hearing officer determines that the interests of the child would not be served by continuing the hearing or reasonable efforts to obtain an interpreter have been unsuccessful.

When the child, a witness, or a party is deaf, the hearings officer may arrange to have a sign interpreter present at the hearing.