AF Amistad High School Family Handbook 2017-2018 | 77 A scholar may be represented by any third party of his/her choice, including an attorney, at his/her own expense or expense of his/her parents/guardians. A scholar may be entitled to free or reduced legal services through various agencies. A parent may request information about such services from the Principal or Dean of Students. A scholar is entitled to the services of a translator or interpreter, to be provided by the School or the Board, whenever the scholar or his/her parent/guardian do not speak the English language or is handicapped. The hearing will be conducted by the Presiding Officer, who will call the meeting to order, introduce the parties, Board members and counsel where applicable, and swear in any witnesses called by the administration or the scholar. A verbatim record of the hearing will be made either by a recording or by a stenographer. The charges will be introduced into the record by the Principal/designee. Formal rules of evidence will not be followed. The Fact-Finder has the right to accept hearsay and other evidence if it deems that evidence relevant or material to its determination. Each witness for the administration will be called and sworn. After a witness has finished testifying, he/she will be subject to cross-examination by the opposite party or his/her legal counsel and by Board members or the Presiding Officer. After the administration has presented its case, the scholar will be asked if he/she has any witnesses or evidence to present. If so, the witnesses will be sworn, will testify, and will be subject to cross-examination by the administration and to questioning by the Board. The scholar may also choose to make a statement at this time. If the scholar chooses to make a statement, he/she will be sworn and subject to cross-examination by the administration and questioning by the Board. Concluding statements will be made by the administration and then by the scholar and/or his/her representative. The parties may submit written position statements within 48 hours of the close of the hearing. In cases where the scholar has denied the allegation, the Fact-Finder must determine whether the scholar committed the offense(s) as charged by the Principal/designee. If the Presiding Officer determines that the scholar committed the offense(s), the Presiding Officer must also deliberate on the disciplinary action to be imposed upon the scholar. The Presiding Officer may review the scholar’s attendance record or academic record during its deliberations on the issue. The Board may ask the Principal or designee for a recommendation as to the discipline to be imposed. Evidence of past disciplinary problems which have led to the removal from a classroom, suspension or expulsion of a scholar being considered for expulsion at a disciplinary hearing may be received, but may only be considered in the determination of the length of expulsion and nature of alternative educational opportunity being offered.