Yes, if the public perception relates to things outside of their work as a judge, e.g., spouse's job, financial interest.
But not if the public perception relates to public criticism of the judge's prior work. They're not supposed to be swayed by it.
They don't need to give a reason when they decide to recuse on their own, and typically don't. Like the very good SDNY judge who recused herself from Trump's removal of the NYC indictment to federal court, although it's generally understood that it was because her husband worked for Mueller.sugar magnolia wrote: ↑Sun Jun 11, 2023 1:36 pm So a Judge can't just say "I need to recuse from this case" without giving a specific reason? No way in hell would I want a trial before a Judge who is forced to hear a case after being denied a recusal.