People v. Stevens

This case requires us to address the appropriate standard for determining when a trial judge’s conduct in front of a jury has deprived a party of a fair and impartial trial, and whether that standard was met in this case.

A trial judge’s conduct deprives a party of a fair trial if the conduct pierces the veil of judicial impartiality. A judge’s conduct pierces this veil and violates the constitutional guarantee of a fair trial when, considering the totality of the circumstances, it is reasonably likely that the judge’s conduct improperly influenced the jury by creating the appearance of…