Right to Impartial Judge
Background
The judge holds enormous power in both civil law and common law criminal justice systems. Because this power is disproportionately large compared to both the criminal defense lawyer and the prosecutor, a defendant has the right to trial by an impartial and unbiased judge.
United States
In Tumey v. Ohio, the Supreme Court explained why it is important for judges to be impartial:
"[I]t certainly violates the Fourteenth Amendment and deprives a defendant in a criminal case of due process of law to subject his liberty or property to the judgment of a court, the judge of which has a direct personal, substantial pecuniary interest in reaching a conclusion against him in his case"[1]
A defendant may challenge a biased judge for cause. Generally, each state will promulgate rules laying out the exact grounds for a defendant's challenge of a judge for cause. If the matter requires a hearing, the hearing should be conducted by a second judge who has no interest in the outcome of the potential recusal.
A judge also has the responsibility to take affirmative action to remove the appearance of impropriety or bias. The judge should not rely on the defendant to raise the issue of impartiality.
Several states also permit a "peremptory challenge" without a showing of bias.
Notes
- ↑ Tumey v. Ohio, 273 U.S. 510 (1927)
