Too Late To Recuse

The Tennessee Court of Appeals affirmed the denial of a recusal motion in a divorce case as untimely

Because Wife did not file her motion for recusal promptly in accordance with Tenn. Sup. Ct. R. 10B, §1.01, we must conclude that she may not now argue that recusal is warranted based on statements made during the September 27 and November 27 hearings.

Reasons for recusal

Wife maintains that two statements made in a September 27, 2023 hearing “showed bias and impropriety by focusing its ruling on the child’s masturbation instead of the testimony of [Wife’s] good parenting and [Husband’s] inappropriate behaviors towards [Wife] and the minor child.” She also complains of not being able to present her side of the case. We need not go into detail regarding the September 27 hearing or the trial judge’s statements because Wife waited too late to assert her claim of bias.

(Mike Frisch)