Blackmail
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.
