Staso v. State, Department of Transportation

OPINION

COMPTON, Justice.

I. INTRODUCTION

This petition for review arises from a denial of a peremptory disqualification sought under Alaska Civil Rule 42(c). Michael Staso (Staso) sought to peremptorily disqualify the judge assigned to a case he refiled after it had been dismissed pursuant to Civil Rule 16.1(g). The disqualification was denied. The trial court concluded that Staso’s peremptory disqualification of the assigned judge in the dismissed case had exhausted his right of peremptory disqualification. We reverse.

II. FACTS AND PROCEEDINGS

Michael Staso refiled a previously dismissed suit…