A predisposition or a preconceived opinion that prevents a person from impartially evaluating facts that have been presented for determination; a prejudice.
A judge who demonstrates bias in a hearing over which he or she presides has a mental attitude toward a party to the litigation that hinders the judge from supervising fairly the course of the trial, thereby depriving the party of the right to a fair trial. A judge may Recuse himself or herself to avoid the appearance of bias.
If, during the Voir Dire, a prospective juror indicates bias toward either party in a lawsuit, the juror can be successfully challenged for cause and denied a seat on the jury.
n. the predisposition of a judge, arbitrator, prospective juror, or anyone making a judicial decision, against or in favor of one of the parties or a class of persons. This can be shown by remarks, decisions contrary to fact, reason or law, or other unfair conduct. Bias can be toward an ethnic group, homosexuals, women or men, defendants or plaintiffs, large corporations, or local parties. Getting a "hometown" decision is a form of bias which is the bane of the out-of-town lawyer. There is also the subtle bias of some male judges in favor of pretty women. Obvious bias is a ground for reversal on appeal, but it is hard to prove, since judges are usually careful to display apparent fairness in their comments. The possibility of juror bias is explored in questioning at the beginning of trial in a questioning process called "voir dire." (See: voir dire, hometowned)
BIAS. A particular influential power which sways the judgment; the
inclination or propensity of the mind towards a particular object.
2. Justice requires that the judge should have no bias for or against
any individual; and that his mind should be perfectly free to act as the law
requires.
3. There is, however, one kind of bias which the courts suffer to
influence them in their judgments it is a bias favorable to a class of
cases, or persons, as distinguished from an individual case or person. A few
examples will explain this. A bias is felt on account of convenience. 1 Ves.
sen. 13, 14; 3 Atk. 524. It is also felt in favor of the heir at law, as
when there is an heir on one side and a mere volunteer on the other. Willes,
R. 570 1 W. Bl. 256; Amb. R. 645; 1 Ball & B. 309 1 Wils. R. 310 3 Atk. 747
Id. 222. On the other hand, the court leans against double portions for
children; M'Clell. R. 356; 13 Price, R. 599 against double provisions, and
double satisfactions; 3 Atk. R. 421 and against forfeitures. 3 T. R. 172.
Vide, generally, 1 Burr. 419 1 Bos. & Pull. 614; 3 Bos. & Pull. 456 Ves. jr.
648 Jacob, Rep. 115; 1 Turn. & R. 350.