United States v. Juan Rodriguez Salinas and Jose Luis Maldonado

This case raises the issue of whether a trial judge may disqualify a retained attorney, in a criminal case, where the judge believes that the attorney is the “target” of an investigation concerning the event or events for which his clients were indicted. We affirm the trial judge’s order of disqualification.

The right of defendants in criminal cases to retain an attorney of their choice does not outweigh the countervailing public interest in the fair and orderly administration of justice. United States v. Kitchin, 592 F.2d 900 (5th Cir.), cert. denied, - U.S. -, 100 S.Ct. 86, 62 L.Ed.2d 56…