Case ID: so2d_760/html/1100-02.html
Source: Caselaw Access Project
Author: {"author": "PER CURIAM.", "license": "Public Domain", "url": "https://static.case.law/"}
Date Created: 2024-08-24T03:29:51.129683

CITY OF MELBOURNE, Florida, Petitioner, v. Christopher WRIGHT, Respondent.
    No. 5D00-1644.
    District Court of Appeal of Florida, Fifth District.
    June 30, 2000.
    Michael J. Roper, of Bell, Leeper & Roper, P.A., Orlando, for Petitioner.
    No Appearance for Respondent.
   PER CURIAM.

The Petition for Writ of Prohibition seeking review of an order denying a motion to disqualify Judge George W. Maxwell III, is granted. The motion and supporting affidavit alleged a fear of prejudice or bias because Judge Maxwell and the attorney representing the opposing party, Charles R. Stack, practiced law together in the same firm before Judge Maxwell became a judge. The motion specifically refers to Administrative Order 99-5-B of the Eighteenth Judicial Circuit which orders that all pending or newly filed cases in which Richard Woodard and the law firm of High, Stack, Lazenby, Palahach, Platt & Feiler appear as counsel should not be heard by Judge Maxwell. Under the circumstances, we find the petitioner has met the burden to establish a legally sufficient basis for disqualification. See, Livingston v. State, 441 So.2d 1083 (Fla.1983).

PETITION GRANTED.

W. SHARP, PETERSON and PLEUS, JJ., concur.