Judge Removed From LAUSD Fentanyl Lawsuits
Judge Janet E. Hong stepped aside from two fentanyl-related cases after the school district alleged bias.
Updated on Oct. 1, 2026 in Secondary Education
The Los Angeles Unified School District successfully requested the removal of Judge Janet E. Hong from two lawsuits involving fentanyl overdoses. The cases, which originated following incidents at Bernstein High School, will now be reassigned by Judge Lawrence P. Riff.
Why it matters
The district argued that the judge was prejudiced against them, leading to a legal shift in how these high-profile negligence cases are managed. This development ensures the litigation will continue under a new presiding judge.
The cases involve a 15-year-old student who suffered a fatal overdose and a 19-year-old student who filed a separate complaint. These lawsuits were initially inherited by Judge Hong after the retirement of Judge Tony L. Richardson.
The players
Los Angeles Unified School District
This is the second-largest public school district in the United States serving the greater Los Angeles area.
Judge Janet E. Hong
She is a judicial officer who presided over these cases following the retirement of her predecessor.
Judge Lawrence P. Riff
He is a supervising judge who is responsible for reassigning the cases after the recusal.
Elena Perez
She is a plaintiff who initiated legal action against the district in late 2022.
The details
The district filed formal court papers alleging that Judge Hong harbored bias, prompting her to accept the request to withdraw from both matters. The lawsuits stem from incidents involving fentanyl at Bernstein High School, with the first filed in December 2022 and the second in October 2023.
Timeline
The fatal overdose of the student occurred in 2022.
Elena Perez filed the first lawsuit in December 2022.
A second lawsuit was filed on behalf of a student in October 2023.
Judge Hong stepped aside from the cases on Wednesday, September 30, 2026.
Culture Shift
This recusal reflects a broader trend of increased scrutiny in school safety litigation following the 2022 fentanyl overdose death at Bernstein High School. Legal battles involving student welfare are increasingly testing the boundaries of district accountability and judicial impartiality.
The change in judge will likely delay the timeline for hearings and court proceedings regarding the district's liability. Families and local residents tracking these cases can expect new scheduling updates as the reassignment process concludes.
The takeaway
Legal proceedings in sensitive cases often face procedural hurdles that can change the trajectory of the litigation. Parties involved should monitor court dockets for updates on the new judicial timeline.
Further reading
For more information on legal developments in schools, visit Secondary Education.
Source note: This article includes information reported by My News LA.
