The courts
recusal
A judge stepping aside from a case because of a conflict or an appearance of bias. Federal law requires it where impartiality might reasonably be questioned.
In full
Grounds include a financial interest, a family relationship to a party or lawyer, prior involvement in the matter, and personal bias. Lower federal judges' recusal decisions can be reviewed on appeal; Supreme Court Justices decide for themselves with no review, which is the central criticism of the Court's ethics arrangements.
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A plain-language explanation for civic education, not legal advice. When in doubt, the official source named above controls.