California OAH special education order · August 13, 2024
Order of Disqualification
OAH Case No. 2024070059 · ALJ Kara Hatfield
ALJ Kara Hatfield recused herself from Student's case against Los Angeles Unified, finding recusal would serve justice and that her impartiality could reasonably be doubted.
Summary
ALJ Kara Hatfield was assigned to the August 12, 2024 prehearing conference in Student's case against Los Angeles Unified School District. On her own, she found that recusal would further the interests of justice. She also found there was substantial doubt about her ability to be impartial, and that a person aware of the facts might reasonably doubt her impartiality. Under California Code of Civil Procedure section 170.1, subdivision (a)(6)(A), she disqualified herself from the matter.
Why it matters
ALJs can and must step aside on their own when their impartiality is in doubt, without either party filing a motion. A self-recusal like this means the case will be reassigned to a different ALJ.
Key authority cited
- Code Civ. Proc. § 170.1, subd. (a)(6)(A)
Topics
Full text of the order
Published text of the OAH order. Page headers and numbers from the original PDF have been dropped.
BEFORE THE
OFFICE OF ADMINISTRATIVE HEARINGS
STATE OF CALIFORNIA
IN THE MATTER OF:
PARENT ON BEHALF OF STUDENT,
v.
LOS ANGELES UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT.
OAH CASE NUMBER 2024070059
ORDER OF DISQUALIFICATION
AUGUST 13, 2024
Administrative Law Judge Kara Hatfield was assigned to the prehearing conference for this matter scheduled for August 12, 2024. The Office of Administrative Hearings is called OAH. Administrative Law Judge is called ALJ.
California Code of Civil Procedure section 170.1, subdivision (a)(6)(A) mandates that a judge shall be disqualified if for any reason:
(i) The judge believes his or her recusal would further the interests of justice.
(ii) The judge believes there is a substantial doubt as to his or her capacity to be impartial.
(iii) A person aware of the facts might reasonably entertain a doubt that the judge would be able to be impartial.
ALJ Hatfield believes her recusal would further the interests of justice, that there is substantial doubt ALJ Hatfield can be impartial in this matter, and that a person aware of the facts might reasonably entertain a doubt that ALJ Hatfield would be able to be impartial. Accordingly, ALJ Hatfield recuses herself from hearing this matter.
IT IS SO ORDERED.
Kara Hatfield Administrative Law Judge Office of Administrative Hearings