Colonial Academic Alliance Undergraduate Research Journal

Article Title

Judicial Recusal: On the Brink of Constitutional Change

Authors

Laura M. Beamer, Georgia State UniversityFollow

Faculty Mentor

Dr. Amy M. McKay

Abstract

ABSTRACT

Recusal, or judicial disqualification, occurs when a judge abstains from a particular legal proceeding because of a personal conflict of interest. All levels of the judicial system and some administrative agencies in the United States apply the concept of recusal, but this study focuses on the United States Supreme Court. Title 28 of the United States Code provides standards (not obligatory by legal means) on when Supreme Court Justices should recuse themselves. But Supreme Court Justices are themselves the arbiters of their own recusal and often these substantive standards are not met. The method of study applied is theoretical, using both quantitative and qualitative data from past Supreme Court cases.

Cover Page Note

Thank you to my mother, Maureen, who constantly believes in me and to my mentor, Dr. Amy McKay, who inspires me to be the best political scientist I can be.

Recommended Citation

Beamer, Laura M. (2012) "Judicial Recusal: On the Brink of Constitutional Change," Colonial Academic Alliance Undergraduate Research Journal: Vol. 3, Article 8.
Available at: https://scholarworks.wm.edu/caaurj/vol3/iss1/8