recuse

[ ri-kyooz ]

verb (used with object)

, re·cused, re·cus·ing.

1. to reject or challenge (a judge, juror, or attorney) as disqualified to act in a particular case, especially because of potential conflict of interest or bias.
2. to disqualify or withdraw (oneself or another person) from any position of judging or decision-making so as to avoid the appearance of personal interest or bias:

   The senator has recused himself from the vote because of his prior association with the company.

verb (used without object)

, re·cused, re·cus·ing.

1. to withdraw from any position of judging or decision-making so as to avoid a semblance of personal interest or bias.

recuse

/ rɪˈkjuːz; rəˈkjuːz /

verb

1. tr; reflexive to remove from participation in a court case due to potential prejudice or partiality

Other Words From

• re·cu·sal noun
• rec·u·sa·tion [rek-y, oo, -, zey, -sh, uh, n], noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of recuse¹

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English recusen, from Middle French recuser, and from Latin recūsāre “to demur, object”; recusant

Word History and Origins

Origin of recuse¹

C19: see recusant

Example Sentences

However, federal law bars executive branch employees, which can include unpaid consultants from participating in government matters that will affect their financial interests, unless they divest of their interests or recuse themselves.

From Los Angeles Times

In July this year, the trial was put on hold indefinitely after Mr Williams's lawyers asked a previous judge to recuse himself over misconduct allegations.

From BBC

Fani Willis and her office need to be recused for ethical reasons.

From Los Angeles Times

Villanueva has previously defended the unit, calling it a necessary tool for fighting corruption, and saying he recused himself from all decision-making that could create a conflict of interest.

From Los Angeles Times

He also indicated that he thinks at least two of the Supreme Court’s six conservative justices should recuse themselves from cases related to Trump’s potential re-election.

From Salon

More About Recuse

What does recuse mean?

Recuse most commonly means to withdraw from being in the position of judging a case or presiding over an investigation so as to avoid any partiality or bias.

This sense of the word is used reflexively, meaning it’s always followed by a reflexive pronoun, as in recuse yourself, recuse himself, recuse themselves.

Less commonly, recuse can mean to reject or challenge a judge or juror due to the belief that they are biased.

In both senses, recusing is typically done to avoid a conflict of interest—a situation in which the person doing the voting, judging, or investigating has some personal connection to the case that could influence their decision.

People who recuse themselves aren’t resigning—they’re officially excusing themselves from participating.

Example: When I was called for jury duty, I knew the man who was on trial so I had to recuse myself.

Where does recuse come from?

The first records of the word recuse come from around the late 1300s. It ultimately derives from the Latin verb recūsāre, meaning “to object or demur.”

It’s hard to be objective. It’s even harder when you have a personal connection to whatever is being decided. That’s why people are expected to recuse themselves in such cases. It’s possible to recuse yourself in everyday situations, such as refusing to take sides in an argument between two friends. But the term is most commonly used in situations that are formal, official, and serious, such as trials and investigations. The act of recusing is typically done by judges, jurors, and government officials. Most often, it’s because the person has a personal connection to the case or has had some experience that makes them impartial.

Less commonly, the word refers not to the act of recusing oneself but to the act of recusing someone else, such as in the case of a judge who recuses a juror thought to be biased against the defendant.

Did you know ... ?

What are some other forms of recuse?

• recusal (noun)
• recusation (noun)

What are some synonyms for recuse?

• disqualify
• withdraw
• reject

What are some words that share a root or word element with recuse? 

 

• recusant
• cause

What are some words that often get used in discussing recuse?

 

• conflict of interest
• remove
• case
• judge
• jury
• court
• decision
• vote

How is recuse used in real life?

Recuse is most commonly used in a legal context. It’s closely associated with the phrase conflict of interest. 

Per transcript, Rick Dearborn backed his ex boss Jeff Sessions' decision to recuse himself. "I think the Attorney General always follows the law," he testified. Dearborn said Sessions "always liked" James Comey, whose firing intensified calls for special counsel to be named.

— Jennifer Jacobs (@JenniferJJacobs) May 8, 2020

NEW: I just obtained these latest recusal forms from the courthouse in Glynn County. The entire Brunswick Judicial Circuit has recused themselves from the Ahmaud Arbery case officially and Prosecutor Joyette Holmes is leading the state's case. @cbs46 pic.twitter.com/a1c0K6L3fv

— Hayley Mason (@HayleyMasonTV) May 12, 2020

Justice Sonia Sotomayor is recusing herself from a #SCOTUS case over the issue of “faithless electors” — Electoral College representatives who disregard the will of voters in presidential elections — because of her friendship with one of the parties involved in the lawsuit.

— Sara A. Carter (@SaraCarterDC) March 10, 2020

 

 

Try using recuse!

True or False? 

Recusing is the same as resigning.