Opinion ID: 1852434
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 5

Heading: Trial Court Prejudice

Text: [¶ 12] Roland asserts the trial court was biased against him and was incompetent. He claims the trial court demonstrated prejudice against him when he admonished Roland, who was about to put his daughter on the stand to testify about Roland's reputation, that Roland should be careful of this one if I were you. Roland also claims the court showed prejudice in finding that Roland had committed a pattern of physical cruelty, extreme mental cruelty, and adultery toward his wife. Roland also claims the trial court's bias is demonstrated by the court's ruling limiting Roland to closely supervised visitation. He also claims the trial court fired off minor questions and corrections to interrupt and completely frustrate testimony Roland was trying to obtain from witnesses. Roland also asserts the trial judge demonstrated confusion when he was not able to remember exhibit numbers, the case number he was trying, and even such basic information as which side had sequestered the witnesses, or that child custody was even in dispute in this case. [¶ 13] Although a trial judge should make no remarks which would show bias on his part in favor of any party to a lawsuit, the trial judge is allowed great latitude of discretion in conducting the trial and, except for an obvious abuse of that discretion, his conduct of the trial will not be grounds for reversible error. Dewitz by Nuestel v. Emery, 508 N.W.2d 334, 337 (N.D.1993). It is not a demonstration of bias that the trial court necessarily decides in favor of one party rather than the other, upon exercising its obligation to view the witnesses, weigh their credibility, and determine the facts. Wolf v. Wolf, 474 N.W.2d 257, 260 (N.D.1991). It is not a manifestation of bias or prejudice that a trial judge draws from the evidence findings of fact and conclusions which the complaining party would have evaluated differently. Id. General allegations amounting to nothing more than dissatisfaction with unfavorable trial court rulings are insufficient to demonstrate bias of the trial judge. Evenstad v. Buchholz, 1997 ND 141, ¶ 11, 567 N.W.2d 194. Roland's complaints about the judge's actions in this case derive primarily from his dissatisfaction with the findings and rulings of the court. Having reviewed the record, we are unpersuaded that the trial judge acted with bias or prejudice against Roland or that the trial court was confused or incompetent in presiding over this case. We conclude the trial court acted within its discretion in conducting the proceedings. Roland has failed to demonstrate an obvious abuse of discretion by the trial court in conducting the trial. He has not demonstrated either prejudice or incompetence by the court which would serve as grounds for reversible error.