Opinion ID: 2150043
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 5

Heading: Denial of Motion for Change of Judge.

Text: Defendant contends that he was denied a fair and impartial trial because of the denial of his motion for a change of venue from judge. A ruling for a change of judge in a criminal proceeding is within the trial court's discretion. We review such a ruling only for a clear abuse of discretion. Stidham v. State (1994), Ind., 637 N.E.2d 140, 142; Harrington v. State (1992), Ind., 584 N.E.2d 558, 561 (per curiam). Here, defendant states no facts in his brief before this court, nor can we find any in the record, that indicate that there was an undisputed claim of prejudice or that the trial court expressed an opinion on the merits of the controversy. Moreover, defendant makes no argument and points to no authority on this issue in his brief before this court. He says simply that the issue is raised for purposes of preserving [it] for further appeal. Under these circumstances, we cannot say that the trial court abused its discretion in denying defendant's motion for change of venue from judge.