Opinion ID: 702318
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 5

Heading: challenge to the district court's conduct

Text: 41 Dobbs contends that the district court participated in trial during the examination of his witnesses as to be a partisan for the government. In determining whether a district court overstepped the bounds of acceptable judicial conduct, the Court must view the proceedings as a whole. United States v. Williams, 809 F.2d 1072, 1089 (5th Cir.), cert. denied, 484 U.S. 896, 108 S.Ct. 228, 98 L.Ed.2d 187 (1987). 42 We have examined the portions of the record referred to by the defendant and the record in its entirety. A careful reading of the record reveals that the district court took an active role during the trial often interjecting comments and questions on both sides of the case. A federal district court may comment on the evidence, question witnesses, bring out facts not yet adduced, and maintain the pace of the trial by interrupting or setting time limits on counsel. United States v. Wallace, 32 F.3d 921, 928 (5th Cir.1994). In this case, the questions and comments made by the court served to clarify confusing lines of questions and contentions offered by both counsels and witnesses. We find no merit in this contention.