Opinion ID: 1953592
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: The Department of Corrections' Motion to Disqualify Judge Giddings

Text: Pursuant to the requirements of MCR 2.003, see part V, the department filed its motion for disqualification of Judge Giddings from the Cain v. Dep't of Corrections litigation. Initially, the department argues that its motion is based on the happenings of the in-chambers meeting. Specifically, the department stated that Judge Giddings, actively counseled the male prisoners' representative on how best to pursue a motion for an order to show cause why Governor John Engler and John Truscott (the Governor's press spokesperson) should not be held in criminal contempt..., and ... raised, on the Judge's own initiative, a new and additional ground that the male prisoners should utilize to pursue the allegations of criminal contempt against Governor Engler.... These actions, in the context of this case, demonstrate a personal legal bias on the part of Judge Giddings against Governor Engler and bias against the MDOC because Judge Giddings repeatedly stated that he considered the Governor (who is not a defendant) and the Department of Corrections (which is the only defendant) to be a single entity subject to his authority. Accordingly, the department argues that Judge Giddings' conflict with the Governor bred animosity that was transferred into prejudice or bias against other parts of the Executive Branch. Consequently, the department contends that it will be denied a fair trial in this matter. The department's motion to disqualify was made pursuant to MCR 2.003, which imposes a mandatory filing time of fourteen days after discovery of the grounds for the motion. Thus, the department points to September 12, 1994, as the day that the grounds for its motion surfaced. However, the department urges this Court to consider other instances occurring within the previous eleven months in support of its allegation of bias. [28] Specifically, the department urges us first to consider Judge Giddings'filing of a complaint with the Attorney Grievance Commission because of the Governor's speech. The department further stated that Judge Giddings repeatedly throughout the proceedings declared there to be a unity of interest between the Governor and the department. Moreover, Judge Giddings entered the media contacts order sua sponte. Lastly, he appointed the male prisoners a press spokesperson and appointed a nonclass representative prisoner to receive the Governor's and the department's faxes of press releases. The department contends that Judge Giddings has demonstrated excessive personal involvement and inappropriate advocacy.... [His] conduct reveals a willingness and personal interest in manipulating this litigation and using judicial time and resources to engage in a public dispute with the Governor.... The department would like this Court to examine human nature and conclude from experience that the risk of bias or prejudice resulting from all of these circumstances is too great. Therefore, the department argues that all these instances, combined with the September 12, 1994, meeting, are sufficient to require the disqualification of Judge Giddings.