California Supreme Court Watch

#26-80 Chi v. Department of Motor Vehicles, S296201. (A172237; 119 Cal.App.5th 473; Alameda County Superior Court; 24CV067384.) Petition for review after the Court of Appeal affirmed the judgment in an action for writ of administrative mandate. The court ordered briefing deferred pending decision in Romane v. Department of Motor Vehicles, S291093 (#25-274), which presents the following issue: Under what circumstances does an administrative per se hearing officer’s relationship with the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) violate a driver’s due process right to an impartial adjudicator by creating an unacceptable risk of bias during a DMV driver’s license suspension hearing?

Petition for review granted; briefing deferred: 5/13/2026

See the Court of Appeal Opinion.