Disqualification Ordered

The District Court of Appeal of Florida (4th District) ordered the disqualification of a circuit judge in an eminent domain case against the City of Riviera Beach. The plaintiffs sued the city to prevent the seizure of private property. They sought disqualification because the judge’s father had deeded to himself as trustee property located within the target area that, whether seized or not, “likely will result in a significant increase in value of [the father’s] property” which “gives rise to a well-grounded fear that [the plaintiffs] may not receive a fair hearing.” The plaintiffs sought a writ of prohibition after the circuit judge had denied the motion to disqualify. The court ordered that the case be reassigned, concluding that the judge’s impartiality might reasonably be questioned. (Mike Frisch)