Opinion ID: 2394775
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Recusal of Chancellor

Text: Appellants assert that the chancellor should have recused from presiding in this case because of having seen the display. The chancellor followed the procedures required by Canon 3 of the Code of Judicial Conduct by disclosing these facts. She followed the procedures and mandates from prior opinions of this court and determined that it was her duty not to recuse unless her failure would be prejudicial to the litigants. There is a duty not to recuse where no prejudice exists. U.S. Term Limits, Inc. v. Hill, 315 Ark. 685, 870 S.W.2d 383 (1994). The decision on whether to disqualify is of particular difficulty where the judicial officer is both the trier of fact and applies the law. See City of Jacksonville v. Venhaus, 302 Ark. 204, 788 S.W.2d 478 (1990); Patterson v. R.T., 301 Ark. 400, 784 S.W.2d 777 (1990). The standard of review on appeal is whether the trial judge abused his or her discretion in the matter. Carton v. Missouri Pac. R.R., 315 Ark. 5, 865 S.W.2d 635 (1993). We cannot say the chancellor abused her discretion in determining that she was not disqualified from hearing this case.