Opinion ID: 2582262
Heading Depth: 4
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Merits of the Constitutional Claim

Text: As noted, the statute requires the disqualification of a judge whenever a person aware of the facts might reasonably entertain a doubt that the judge would be able to be impartial. . . . (Code Civ. Proc., § 170.1, former subd. (a)(6)(C), see now subd. (a)(6)(A)(iii).) The Attorney General argues the constitutional standard is narrower. He cites Bracy v. Gramley (1997) 520 U.S. 899, 117 S.Ct. 1793, 138 L.Ed.2d 97, where the high court explained that most questions concerning a judge's qualifications to hear a case are not constitutional ones, because the Due Process Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment establishes a constitutional floor, not a uniform standard. [Citation.] Instead, these questions are, in most cases, answered by common law, statute, or the professional standards of the bench and bar. [Citations.] But the floor established by the Due Process Clause clearly requires a `fair trial in a fair tribunal,' [citation], before a judge with no actual bias against the defendant or interest in the outcome of his particular case. ( Id. at pp. 904-905, 117 S.Ct. 1793, italics added.) Accordingly, the Attorney General argues that the due process claim requires a showing of actual bias, whereas the statute requires only the appearance of bias. We need not further address the distinction because defendant has failed to show even the appearance of bias. Potential bias and prejudice must clearly be established by an objective standard. ( In re Scott (2003) 29 Cal.4th 783, 817, 129 Cal.Rptr.2d 605, 61 P.3d 402.) Courts must apply with restraint statutes authorizing disqualification of a judge due to bias. ( Ibid. ) Under this standard, there was no error. Defendant's allegations in support of his disqualification motions simply do not support a doubt regarding [the trial judge's] ability to remain impartial. ( People v. Coffman and Marlow (2004) 34 Cal.4th 1, 50, 17 Cal.Rptr.3d 710, 96 P.3d 30, fn. omitted.) The mere fact that Judge Ball's daughter had been the victim of a knifepoint robbery at a photograph store many years before does not disqualify him. Judges, like all human beings, have widely varying experiences and backgrounds. Except perhaps in extreme circumstances, those not directly related to the case or the parties do not disqualify them. [11] In this case, the judge stated unequivocally that he made no connection between the earlier robbery and the present case. `[W]e of course presume the honesty and integrity of those serving as judges.' ( Mann v. Thalacker, supra, 246 F.3d at p. 1097.) The judge's brief encounter with the victim's father shortly after the jury's penalty verdict likewise did not require his disqualification. Judge Ball did not seek out the encounter. The victim's father approached him to apologize for his wife's behavior. The judge merely listened briefly and expressed sympathy, extending the same courtesy to him that I would have extended to anyone expressing anxiety. While a judge in any case must ensure that every litigant receives a fair trial, no rule precludes a judge from treating members of the public with courtesy. To require that the judge here simply turn his back on the father would do nothing to make the proceedings fairer to defendant. The entitlement of a criminal defendant to a fair trial must never be compromised. Yet the criminal justice system does not exist for the benefit of criminal defendants alone. Parents of murder victims also have a stake in the criminal justice system. Courts may also consider, and be sensitive to, the needs and concerns of crime victims and their families. Defendant contends the judge ruling on the second motion should have taken testimony to resolve asserted factual discrepancies between Judge Ball's account and that of the witness, John Aaron. A hearing was unnecessary. Judge Ball's account was more complete than Aaron's, but it was not inconsistent. Aaron acknowledged he was recounting only part of the conversation, and could not remember who spoke first. Thus, Aaron's observations were fragmentary, and contained nothing to cast doubt on Judge Ball's more inclusive statement. Given the circumstances, Judge Ball handled the impromptu incident with the victim's father appropriately. Defendant argues that, standing alone, the father's statement that defendant's life should be taken requires the judge's disqualification. The argument fails. It is immaterial whether the comment was directed to the bailiff or the judge, and whether the judge heard it directly, through staff, or in connection with defendant's motion. It is clear that the judge did not solicit the comment. During a trial any number of things come to a judge's attention beyond the strict confines of the written record. Among these are the reactions of spectators manifested by their facial expressions and other behavior, before, during, and after court sessions. Indeed, judges must be aware of these things as part of their diligent trial management and their responsibility to ensure that jurors remain unaffected by them. Likewise, judges are often asked to rule on the admissibility of evidence they ultimately exclude. Judges are required to set this information aside, just as jurors are instructed to do when evidence is stricken. In this case, given the father's testimony during the penalty phase, it was hardly a revelation that he favored the death penalty. Certainly the father should not have approached the judge. Such conduct is inappropriate, as would be a plea from a defendant's family to spare their loved one. Yet events of this nature do happen. Capital cases unfold in a crucible of strong emotions. Courts cannot expect that families will always conform their behavior to the standards of trained professionals. However, the court system must function in the face of occasionally imperfect behavior from the public. The record contains no evidence that the father's comment influenced the court's rulings. No reasonable person would doubt that a judge could remain impartial merely because of a brief encounter that the murder victim's father initiated after the penalty verdict. [12]