Opinion ID: 2183372
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 8

Heading: Impartiality of Judge

Text: Brooks argues that the trial judge's excessive intervention and unwarranted comments deprived him of a fair trial. He correctly asserts that the trial judge has a duty to remain impartial. A trial court should refrain from making unnecessary comments and should remain impartial. Moreover, a trial judge's conduct should be such that his remarks or apparent attitude do not impart to the jury an appearance of partiality. It is important, however, that the trial court control the proceedings by taking responsible steps to insure that proper discipline and order exist in the courtroom. Marbley v. State (1984), Ind., 461 N.E.2d 1102, 1107. The court must strike a balance between impartiality and control. Rulings on procedural and evidentiary questions by nature are adverse to one of the parties, but partiality cannot be inferred from proper rulings. Appellant characterizes the comments of the judge as sarcastic, caustic, and sharp. While intonation can not be determined from the record, the judge's comments appear to be attempts to control the proceedings. Implicit in the judge's duty to control the proceedings is the power to give reasonable admonitions to witnesses and counsel and direct the taking of testimony. Lawson v. State (1980), 274 Ind. 419, 431, 412 N.E.2d 759, 768. As illustrations of the judge's partiality, appellant points to the court's direction to defense counsel to stand near the bench, enabling him to better see an exhibit, the court's admonishments that counsel not argue with witnesses, and the court's control of testimony by restraining counsel from excursions into collateral and irrelevant areas of law. We find that none of these comments reflect any partiality on the part of the judge. Moreover, defendant was not so moved as to object or move for a mistrial at the time the allegedly objectionable comments occurred and has thus not properly preserved any error for appellate review. Cornett v. State (1983), Ind., 450 N.E.2d 498, 505.