Final answer:
A contested case hearing may be held if an informal conference fails to resolve a legal matter. This is common in administrative law, zoning disputes, and other civil or criminal cases, often requiring formal hearings and legal representation.
Step-by-step explanation:
If an informal conference does not lead to a resolution in a legal matter, a contested case hearing may indeed be held. Formal hearings such as these are common in various legal processes, including but not limited to administrative law, zoning disputes, and other civil matters. In the context of court decisions and judicial processes, once the Justices have discussed and voted on a case in a private conference, they make their decision public. Similarly, if a matter is not resolved through informal means or through mediation or arbitration, a formal hearing may be necessary.
For example, with zoning disputes, a board of zoning appeals may hold a quasi-judicial hearing to determine the outcome, which can be reviewed by higher courts. The complexity and formality of these hearings often necessitate legal representation. Moreover, criminal matters or cases where the state courts are unable to decide may also result in contested case hearings.