Opinion ID: 2032067
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 4

Heading: alleged bias and prejudice of the circuit judge

Text: Finally, Sachs argues that the circuit judge was involved, at or shortly prior to trial in this case, in a utility bill dispute with Union Electric concerning service to the judge's residence. Sachs contends that the circuit judge should have recused himself and that the appellate court erred when it refused permission to amend the record to incorporate the details of this dispute after Union Electric presented a motion to so amend in the appellate court. The appellate court concluded that Union Electric had knowledge of the dispute during the trial but remained silent about it, and that this precluded Union Electric from suggesting that the circuit judge was biased and prejudiced against it for the first time at the appellate level. Consequently, it denied Union Electric leave to amend the record. The appellate court, however, never addressed the effect of such a ruling on Sachs, which claims it knew nothing of any dispute between the circuit judge and Union Electric until the latter sought to file affidavits in the appellate court revealing it. Sachs now contends that it is affected by any bias and prejudice against Union Electric which may have influenced the award against that defendant. The reason is that, as a result of the appellate court decision, Sachs is required to satisfy that award in full. This court, like the appellate court, is not a fact-finding tribunal. Because of the nature of a reviewing court, we conclude that the appellate court correctly refused amendment of the record because to do so would have engaged it in a fact-finding proceeding. However, if Sachs desires to do so, it can raise the issue in the circuit court when the mandate is issued in this case and attempts are made to enforce the final judgment of the circuit court. For the reasons given, the judgment of the appellate court is affirmed. Judgment affirmed.