“What’s a jury to think if the judge is acting in this way and there’s no objection?”

Chief Justice O’Connor, to counsel for West

“You’re not saying that we can never notice structural error without an objection, are you?”

Justice Brunner, to the assistant county prosecutor

On June 30, 2021, the Supreme Court of Ohio

On June 30, 2021, the Supreme Court of Ohio will hear oral argument in State of Ohio v. James R. West, 2020-0978. At issue in this case is whether a trial judge’s line of allegedly biased questioning constitutes structural error requiring automatic reversal.

Case Background

On October 2, 2017, James West was in a

On June 30, 2021, the Supreme Court of Ohio will hear oral argument in State of Ohio v. James R. West, 2020-0978. At issue in this case is whether a trial judge’s line of allegedly biased questioning constitutes structural error requiring automatic reversal.

Case Background

On October 2, 2017, James West was in a