What constitutes misconduct if a trial court makes discourteous and disparaging remarks to defense counsel?

California, United States of America


The following excerpt is from People v. St. Martin, D069810 (Cal. App. 2017):

"A trial court commits misconduct if it persistently makes discourteous and disparaging remarks to defense counsel so as to discredit the defense or create the impression it is allying itself with the prosecution. [Citations.] We have read each of the alleged instances of hostility in context. They fall far short of establishing misconduct or 'betray[ing] a bias against defense counsel.' [Citation.] . . . [W]e perceive nothing that crossed the line into improper behavior, and certainly nothing prejudicial to the defense cause. The trial court has the duty to control the trial. [Citations.] It effectively fulfilled that duty." (People v. Carpenter (1997) 15 Cal.4th 312, 353.) Here, too, St. Martin has not established that the trial court committed misconduct, or that the court prejudiced him. The record demonstrates the court's frustration, and even annoyance, with St. Martin's counsel. But the trial court's actions and statements, undertaken in its attempt to

Page 26

maintain control of the trial, did not come close to crossing the boundary into misconduct.

Other Questions


What constitutes misconduct in a trial when a defendant's counsel makes disparaging remarks to the defense counsel? (California, United States of America)
When a trial court makes disparaging or disparaging remarks to the defense counsel or witnesses, is it necessary for a new trial? (California, United States of America)
Is a trial court misconduct if it makes disparaging remarks to defense counsel? (California, United States of America)
What constitutes misconduct in a trial if a judge makes disparaging remarks to defense counsel? (California, United States of America)
When a defendant makes a mid-trial motion to revoke his self represented status and have standby counsel appointed for the remainder of the trial, does the trial court have a duty to manage the trial? (California, United States of America)
Does trial counsel shirk his constitutional responsibility to provide competent counsel by failing to ask the court to instruct on a bogus self-defense defense? (California, United States of America)
Does the trial court erred by discussing some of defendant's complaints about defense counsel and disagreements with defense counsel in the presence of the prosecutor? (California, United States of America)
Is a prosecutor's comment that defense counsel was seeking to "distract the jury from the evidence as an attack on counsel's integrity a fair response to defense counsel's remarks? (California, United States of America)
In what circumstances will the court require a defense counsel to object to a motion where the trial atmosphere was poisonous, and the defense counsel did not object at all? (California, United States of America)
Can a defense counsel appeal against an admonition from the trial court for failing to timely object to challenged statements made by defense counsel regarding sexual assault? (California, United States of America)
X



Alexi white


"The most advanced legal research software ever built."

Trusted by top litigators from across North America.