Final answer:
Hearings may be requested by a department to determine if a complaint against a licensee has merit, which may result in a hearing or dismissal. These proceedings are an integral judicial step, and legal representation is highly advised due to the complexities involved.
Step-by-step explanation:
After an investigation, the department may request a licensee to appear at such hearings as is necessary to determine whether there is cause for a complaint that would warrant a hearing or the dismissal of the complaint. This is keeping in line with the standard legal procedures during which individuals or entities are summoned to explain or defend their actions before a judiciary or authoritative body.
In these hearings, relevant information and evidence are presented and examined to decide if further legal proceedings, such as a full-fledged trial, should take place. They serve as an essential part of the judicial process, ensuring the principles of due process are upheld. Should the need arise due to biased pre-trial publicity or other concerns impacting the fairness of the hearing, a change of venue can be requested.
It is crucial to have legal representation during these proceedings given the complexities of the law and the potential consequences that may arise from these quasi-judicial proceedings.