Former Bexar County Criminal District Attorney Nico LaHood and his law firm should be disqualified from representing a criminal defendant whose case started while LaHood was still San Antonio’s top prosecutor, an appellate court has ruled.

“This ruling affirms our belief that the integrity of the justice system is paramount and must be protected. This decision has state-wide implications, as the issue of prosecutor disqualifications has been left unclear for several years. It is our hope this ruling will serve as a guiding light to the other courts,” said a statement by the current district attorney, Joe Gonzales.