Sapd v. Fourth Judicial District

Summary

The Idaho Supreme Court granted the Idaho State Appellate Public Defender’s mandamus petition, holding that the SAPD had standing and statutory authority to arrange substitute counsel without prior trial-court approval. The Court vacated the orders removing the SAPD and appointing replacement counsel, held that a qualified out-of-state attorney may appear pro hac vice, and ordered appointment of a new district judge because the existing judge demonstrated bias. The Court expressly left unresolved whether the proposed attorney’s concurrent representation created an actual conflict of interest.