California OAH special education order · April 2, 2025
Order of Disqualification
OAH Case No. 2024120106 · ALJ Kara Hatfield
ALJ Kara Hatfield recused herself from Student's case against Los Angeles Unified because she found her recusal would further the interests of justice and her impartiality could reasonably be doubted.
Summary
ALJ Kara Hatfield was assigned to the April 4, 2025 prehearing conference in Student's case against Los Angeles Unified School District. On her own, she found that her recusal would further the interests of justice and that there was substantial doubt about her capacity to be impartial. She also found that a person aware of the facts might reasonably doubt she could be impartial. She disqualified herself under Code of Civil Procedure section 170.1, subdivision (a)(6)(A).
Why it matters
ALJs must step aside on their own when their impartiality could reasonably be questioned, so families need not file a challenge for this to happen. The order does not explain the specific reason for the recusal.
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 2024120106
ORDER OF DISQUALIFICATION
APRIL 2, 2025
Administrative Law Judge Kara Hatfield was assigned to the prehearing conference for this matter scheduled for April 4, 2025. 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