People v. Arellano

Summary

The court affirmed the district court’s order disqualifying the Fourth Judicial District Attorney’s Office because the record supported a finding of special circumstances making a fair trial unlikely. The court held that the district court properly exercised its broad discretion after considering the employee-witness’s central role, the potential impact of her testimony on self-defense, the limits of the ethical screen, and related financial and trial-management concerns. The case was remanded for further proceedings consistent with the opinion.