A state appellate court in Florida granted a petition for a writ of prohibition to disqualify a Miami trial judge accused of displaying undue bias, preemptively limiting a defendant’s ability to present his case, and exhibiting behavior interpreted as advocacy for the plaintiff.

“We find that the sworn allegations in his motion for disqualification are sufficient to place a reasonably prudent person in fear of not receiving a fair hearing on his legal claims,” Third District Court of Appeal Judges Kevin Emas, Bronwyn Miller and Fleur Lobree ruled in response to the disqualification of Miami-Dade Circuit Judge Vivianne Del Rio.

Miami-Dade Circuit Judge Vivianne del Rio. Miami-Dade Circuit Judge Vivianne del Rio.