In the Matter of D.A.S., 183 N.C. App. 107 (2007)

The trial court did not commit prejudicial error during the disposition hearing when it asked the prosecutor to clarify the court counselor’s testimony regarding his recommendations for the juvenile’s disposition. Under G.S. 8C-1, Rule 614(b), the trial court may interrogate witnesses, whether called by itself or by a party, and the court may question a witness to clarify the witness’s testimony. In this case, the trial court’s statement that the prosecutor should ask the court counselor about the terms and conditions of the juvenile’s current term of probation helped to clarify the court counselor’s testimony and provided the court with a better understanding of the court counselor’s recommendations.