In the Matter of D.M.B., 196 N.C. App. 775 (2009)

The court rejected the juvenile’s argument that the trial court made improper remarks and was not fair and impartial. Although the judge expressed a desire to impose a harsher disposition than allowed by law, such comments (1) did not violate G.S. 15A-1222 because that provision only applies when a jury is present and (2) did not indicate that the judge was not impartial in his role as finder of fact because the juvenile did, in fact, receive a disposition within the boundaries set out by statute.