Judge Removed From LAUSD Fentanyl Lawsuits
Los Angeles parents should monitor court updates regarding ongoing litigation over school-site fentanyl safety.
Updated on Oct. 1, 2026 in Secondary Education
Judge Janet E. Hong has stepped aside from two lawsuits involving fentanyl overdoses at Bernstein High School after the Los Angeles Unified School District alleged judicial prejudice. The cases will now be reassigned to Judge Lawrence P. Riff.
Why it matters
These lawsuits focus on district liability following the 2022 death of a 15-year-old student, marking a significant legal challenge regarding student safety and overdose prevention protocols. The reassignment of the presiding judge adds procedural time to these high-profile cases.
The litigation involves a 15-year-old student who died in 2022 and a 19-year-old student who filed a lawsuit in 2023. Judge Lawrence P. Riff is now tasked with reassigning both matters.
The players
Los Angeles Unified School District
The local public school system that manages student safety protocols and faces ongoing litigation regarding school-site health incidents.
Janet E. Hong
A Superior Court judge who inherited and subsequently withdrew from the fentanyl-related cases involving the school district.
Lawrence P. Riff
The supervising judge responsible for the reassignment of the pending lawsuits.
The details
The district requested the removal of Judge Janet E. Hong by filing formal court papers alleging prejudice against the school system. Following this motion, Judge Hong accepted the request to step aside on Wednesday and transferred jurisdiction to supervising judge Lawrence P. Riff. Judge Riff will oversee the process of assigning a new judge to the cases, which stem from student overdoses at Bernstein High School.
Timeline
A 15-year-old student suffered a fatal fentanyl overdose in 2022.
Elena Perez filed an initial lawsuit against the district in December 2022.
A second lawsuit was filed on behalf of a student in October 2023.
Judge Hong stepped aside from the litigation on Wednesday, September 30, 2026.
The Home Front
This judicial shift occurs within the broader context of increasing legal scrutiny regarding school-site safety and district responsibility for student health. It underscores the extended timeline families often face when pursuing litigation related to the 2022 Bernstein High School fentanyl overdose.
Families affected by or monitoring these cases should keep track of public court dockets to stay informed about future hearing dates. If your household is navigating school-safety concerns, verify your student's campus emergency communication protocols with the district office.
The takeaway
The reassignment of these cases ensures that upcoming proceedings will be managed by a new judge, though it may result in scheduling delays. Families should monitor the Los Angeles Superior Court database for updates on the new judicial assignment for these ongoing fentanyl liability claims.
Further reading
For updates on school safety policies and related student support services, visit Secondary Education.
Source note: This article includes information reported by My News LA.
