Court Opinion

ID: 9741610
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-26 20:59:16.575446+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T07:24:25.087105
License: Public Domain

GILBERT, Justice
(concurring specially).
While I concur with the result reached in this case, I write separately to express my concern about a trial court judge becoming an advocate at this court in a case presided over by that judge. The trial court judge in this case formally filed a pro se brief and has been personally represented by counsel. Such personal involvement by a trial court judge is concerning. While it is true that the trial court judge was named as a respondent in the writ of prohibition and writ of mandamus, it is not uncommon for a trial judge to be named as a party in an appellate action such as this. The only relief requested related to the trial court judge’s official duties: no claims of a personal nature were put forth and no relief is sought from the trial judge personally.
In our review of cases such as this, we should take a careful look at the record • developed at the trial court level. Therefore, even where both the prosecution and defense are asking that the plea be accepted and/or the judge removed, a separate appearance by the trial court judge is not necessary. Instead, the trial court judge should make a complete record supporting his decision, including his factual findings and legal reasoning, accompanied by appropriate legal points of authority. The record should speak for itself.
This court apparently has never addressed the propriety of a trial court judge making a formal appearance in an appellate case involving one of that judge’s decisions. Such an appearance is a significant departure from the normal role of an impartial judge. The issue of the standing of a trial court judge to respond directly and personally needs more study and should be reviewed by the Rules of Criminal Procedure Advisory Committee.