California Supreme Court Watch

#25-274 Romane v. Department of Motor Vehicles, S291093.  (D083569; 110 Cal.App.5th 1002; San Diego County Superior Court; 37-2023-00017624-CU-WMCTL.)  Petition for review after the Court of Appeal reversed the judgment in an action for writ of administrative mandate and remanded for further proceedings.  The court limited review to 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; issues limited: 8/13/2025

Case fully briefed: 3/26/2026

See the Court of Appeal Opinion.