Rule 121.01 Recusal of Judicial Officer

If a judge in a juvenile or family court case has a personal stake in the outcome, is related to someone involved in the case, or used to serve as a lawyer for one of the parties, that judge cannot hear the case. The judge has to step aside and let another judge take over.

This rule also allows a judge to step aside for any other valid reason, even if it doesn't fit one of these specific situations. The goal is to make sure the person deciding the case has no personal connection to it and can look at the facts fairly. This protects everyone involved by keeping the process honest and unbiased.