People v. Harlan

In this original proceeding, petitioner Robert Harlan seeks to vacate the district court's order disqualifying his longtime counsel of choice. The district court disqualified Harlan's counsel of choice on an oral motion by the People during post-conviction proceedings. Harlan contends that the district court abused its discretion in ordering disqualification. We issued a rule to show cause and now make the rule absolute.

After reviewing the relevant facts and procedure, we review the principles governing disqualification. As our discussion indicates, a determination regarding disqualification…