California OAH special education order · July 11, 2025
Order of Disqualification
OAH Case No. 2025060218 · ALJ Kara Hatfield
ALJ Kara Hatfield recused herself from the case on her own motion, finding that recusal would further the interests of justice and that her impartiality could reasonably be doubted.
Summary
ALJ Kara Hatfield was assigned on July 10, 2025 to the prehearing conference set for July 14, 2025. She disqualified herself on her own motion under Code of Civil Procedure section 170.1, subdivision (a)(6)(A). She found that recusal would further the interests of justice, that there was substantial doubt about her ability to be impartial, and that a person aware of the facts might reasonably doubt her impartiality. The order does not say what facts led to the recusal.
Why it matters
OAH judges can and do step aside on their own when their impartiality could reasonably be questioned. Families do not need to file a motion for this to happen.
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 2025060218
ORDER OF DISQUALIFICATION
JULY 11, 2025
On July 10, 2025, Administrative Law Judge Kara Hatfield was assigned to the prehearing conference for this matter scheduled for July 14, 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