Can I Pick My Judge?

Can I pick my judge?

When your petition is filed with the court, a judge is assigned to your case. You may not pick your own judge or judge “shop.” “Judge shopping” occurs when a person involved in a legal case attempts to influence the court’s assignment of a case so that it will be directed to or away from a particular judge. However, talk to your attorney about the reasons you want a different judge. If you believe that your judge has a conflict of interest, such as being a close friend of your spouse or in business with your spouse, you may have a basis for asking the judge to be “recused” in order to allow another judge to hear the case. Your should request this early in your proceedings.