What roles do elders fill in society in this reading?

Answer From The Annual Reading Schedule - Week 46 Notes For Deuteronomy: They deliver the murderer into the hand of the revenger of blood (Deuteronomy 19:11-12). They bring down the heifer for one found slain and wash their hands over its' neck which was broke in the wadi (Deuteronomy 21:1-9). These two acts are similar in that they have to do with purging guilt of innocent blood from your midst by doing what is right in the eyes of Yahweh (Deuteronomy 21:9). Similar to these also is the elders hearing matters such as parents testifying against their rebellious and wayward son before he is stoned at the gate of the city (Deuteronomy 21:18-21). Elders also are witnesses of the proof of a girl's maidenhood when her parents bring it forward and taken part in executing punishment if she was not a maiden (Deuteronomy 22:13-21). These last two are similar in that they have to do with purging evil from their midst.