Opinion ID: 1865968
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Trial Court's Objectivity

Text: Vicki contends that the trial court was unable to objectively consider the motion for change of custody because of its involvement with the protection order sought by [her] in 1987. That protection order was issued by Judge Paulson against Strankowski shortly after he had severely beaten Vicki. Vicki argues that under Rule 59(b), NDRCivP, she should be granted a new hearing due to the trial court's prejudice against Strankowski. The purpose of a motion for a new trial is to give the trial court an opportunity to correct errors without subjecting the parties and the appellate courts to the time and expense involved in an appeal. Waldner v. Peterson, 447 N.W.2d 217 (Minn. App.1989). Vicki never made a motion for a new trial, [1] however, nor did she move for relief from the judgment, pursuant to Rule 60(b)(vi), NDRCivP. Vicki made no demand for a change of judge, pursuant to NDCC § 29-15-21, until this case was already on appeal to this court. Vicki has thus failed to raise in the trial court the issue of judicial bias. We have repeatedly held that issues not raised in the trial court cannot be raised for the first time on appeal. E.g., Illies v. Illies, 462 N.W.2d 878 (N.D.1990). The failure to raise the issue of judicial bias in the trial court precludes our review on appeal. See Buzzell v. Libi, 340 N.W.2d 36 (N.D.1983).