What occurs when a Supreme Court judge is personally interested in a case?

When a Supreme Court judge has a personal interest in a case, the appropriate course of action is for that judge to recuse themselves from participating in the proceedings. This is to ensure that the judicial process remains fair and unbiased. In such instances, a district judge may be appointed to sit in place of the recused Supreme Court judge, thereby allowing the case to proceed without the conflict of interest affecting the outcome.

This mechanism is in place to uphold the integrity of the judicial system. It helps to maintain public confidence in the legal process, ensuring that judges make impartial decisions without any personal biases influencing their rulings. The concept of recusal is a fundamental aspect of legal ethics, aimed at avoiding any appearance of impropriety in the judiciary.