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Name: Campbell v. Rice
Case #: 99-17311
Court: US Court of Appeals
District 9 Cir
Opinion Date: 09/12/2002
Subsequent History: None
Summary

Appellant contended that his attorney had a potential conflict of interest because she was being prosecuted for drug violations by the same district attorney’s office as appellant. Appellant was excluded from the private in-chambers hearing concerning the potential conflict. The appellate court reversed and remanded. Campbell’s due process right to be present at the in-chambers hearing was violated, and the violation was a structural error that was prejudicial per se. Campbell had an active role to play in the hearing and his exclusion from the hearing compromised the integrity of the entire trial.