People v. Steven O.

Opinion

THAXTER, J.

This appeal from an order committing Steven O. to the California Youth Authority raises several interesting issues. We initially hold that a juvenile court referee is disqualified from hearing a supplemental petition alleging violation of probation terms in an earlier order resulting from a petition prosecuted by the referee in his previous role as a‘ deputy district attorney. Because Steven failed to assert the ground of disqualification at the earliest possible opportunity, however, we will conclude he waived it. Next, we hold that the petition leading to the order under…