Ziesmer

Here we conclude that the dismissal of a grand jury indictment pursuant to Penal Code section 995, subdivision (a)(1)(A) terminates the action. Therefore, if the action is refiled and assigned to the same judge to whom the case was originally assigned, a party may disqualify the judge pursuant to Code of Civil Procedure section 170.6.

We grant David Ziesmer’s petition for writ of mandate and direct respondent court to vacate its order denying Ziesmer’s timely peremptory challenge to the judge assigned to his case.

Facts

On August 21, 2000, the Ventura County Grand Jury indicted Ziesmer for murder. On May 25, 2001, the case was assigned to Judge O’Neill for all purposes. Ziesmer did not challenge Judge O’Neill as permitted by Code of Civil Procedure section 170.6 (section 170.6). 1 Judge O’Neill set the case for trial and heard pretrial motions concerning application of the attorney-client privilege to items seized during a special master search and issued orders restricting Ziesmer’s communications in jail.

*363 Prior to the date set for trial, Ziesmer moved to dismiss the grand jury indictment under Penal Code section 995, subdivision (a)(1)(A). 2 The superior court…