Opinion ID: 1680396
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: circuit judge's impartiality

Text: ¶ 27. Hampton alleges that the circuit court judge was partial, biased, and engaged in ex parte communications with counsel opposite. However, as previously mentioned, Hampton did not object to the judge hearing the contempt matter, nor did she move for the judge to recuse himself. Therefore, Hampton's failure to object to the circuit judge's appearance in this case results in a waiver of this argument. Id. Thus, this issue is without merit. Nonetheless, we will consider Hampton's claims of partiality, bias, and ex parte communications. ¶ 28. First, Hampton argues that she was denied an impartial tribunal and trier of fact when the judge announced that he had contempt for her. However, there is no evidence present in the record that the judge ever stated he had contempt for Hampton. [2] The judge actually stated that he felt contempt for [Hampton's] non-appearance. This comment differs significantly from Hampton's contention. Hampton's decision to absent herself from the hearing caused a great inconvenience to several individuals. Moreover, it would be hard to find anyone who was inconvenienced by Hampton's absence, who did not feel contempt for her actions. In any case, feeling contempt for Hampton's actions is very much different from feeling contempt for Hampton as a person. Hence, there is no evidence that Hampton was denied the right to an impartial tribunal. ¶ 29. Next, Hampton insists that the judge should have held counsel opposite in contempt, and failure to do so demonstrates the judge's bias. The judge determined that there was no proof that counsel opposite was in contempt of court. Further, unlike Hampton, counsel opposite was present at both the August 27 and September 3 hearings, in accordance with the circuit court's orders. Therefore, after a detailed review of the record, we agree with the ruling of the circuit court judge. Thus, we conclude that the judge's actions were not biased. ¶ 30. Finally, Hampton argues the judge made several improper ex parte communications in the case at bar. After a diligent review of the record, we fail to find any evidence of improper contact in the case at bar. We also note that counsel opposite and the circuit court judge were in contact outside the presence of Hampton; however, this contact occurred on August 27 due to Hampton's absence from the hearing. Hence, improper communications did not take place. ¶ 31. Therefore, the circuit court judge was impartial, unbiased, and did not engage in any improper ex parte contact. Thus, this issue is without merit.