M.W. v. State

After finding M.W., a juvenile, guilty of petit theft, the trial court withheld adjudication and issued a judicial warning. M.W. appeals on the lone ground that the trial judge "entered the fray" during the trial and sacrificed trial court neutrality. Because we conclude that the trial judge did not overstep his obligation to remain neutral and impartial, we affirm the order on appeal.

The State charged M.W. in a one-count petition for delinquency after M.W. was arrested for shoplifting headphones at an Apple Store. According to statute, "if the property stolen is valued at $100 or more, but…