Parnell

Parnell v. Superior Court

Good Law
132 Cal. Rptr. 535·1976 Cal. App. LEXIS 1820·61 Cal. App. 3d 430
Court of Appeal of CaliforniaAugust 20, 1976Civ. 16230California460 words

Opinion

Opinion

Petitioner, under indictment for the murder of her husband, seeks a writ of prohibition restraining the trial judge, the Honorable Harold Underwood, from proceeding further in the action. This proceeding follows respondent superior court’s denial, as untimely, of her motion under Code of Civil Procedure section 170.6 to disqualify the trial judge.

Subdivision (2) of section 170.6 requires, under the circumstances of this case, that the motion be made “at least five days before” the date which has been fixed for trial.

Petitioner's motion was filed August 11, 1976; the date set for trial was August 16. The motion was timely. (People v. Escobedo (1973) 35 Cal.App.3d 32, 35-40 [ 110 Cal.Rptr. 550 ]; and see Eagle Maintenance & Supply Co. v. Superior Court (1961) 196 Cal.App.2d 692, 695 [ 16 Cal.Rptr. 745 ].)

The final sentence of subdivision (2) of section 170.6 provides that “[t]he fact that a judge . . . has presided at or acted in connection with a . .. proceeding or motion prior to trial and not involving a determination of contested fact issues relating to the merits shall not preclude the later making of the motion provided for herein at the time . . . hereinbefore…

Sign in to read the full opinion

Create a free account to read the complete opinion text, citation history, and good-law status for this case.