Miami judge in controversial child custody case pursues gag order violators

A Miami child welfare judge, angered by apparent leaks of a custody hearing to a reporter, has asked over 30 Florida child welfare workers to appear before her to sign statements verifying that they were not the leakers. A retired judge says that although unusual, the judge was acting within her authority to demand the [...]

Texas: Journalist covering terrorism case seeks to suspend gag order

In a case of a man from Saudi Arabia alleged to have attempted to bomb targets in the U.S. including the house of ex-President George W. Bush, a journalist from Texas is asking for the federal appeals court to reverse a gag order issued by a trial court. The reporter’s petition reads, “Any restriction on [...]

Federal judge in Florida blocks bid for gag order in civil rights case

Attorneys for the Southern Poverty Law Center are allowed to discuss a civil rights case involving treatment of plaintiffs in a private Juvenile Detention Center. A federal judge found that a fair trial would not be compromised by statements from plaintiffs or their attorneys. The judge noted that while “Defendants are dismayed by the extrajudicial [...]

Court: Gag order in Roseville mall fire case DENIED

Placer County Superior Court Judge Larry Gaddis yesterday denied local prosecutors’ request for a gag order in criminal proceedings against Alexander Piggee, the 23-year-old Stockton man suspected of arson in the Roseville Galleria fire two months ago. The effect of the denial is that lawyers, police and potential witnesses are free to speak publicly about [...]

California court considering gag order in shopping mall arson

The district attorney in Roseville is asking a court for a gag order in an arson case. They claim the order is needed to ensure a fair trial whereas those against the order say it would prevent information from surfacing that would clear up misperceptions about the case. -db The Reporters Committee for Freedom of [...]

Gag order eased for man fighting FBI over warrantless investigation

A president of an Internet service provider can for the first time speak about a gag on his telling anyone he had received an national security letter demanding private customer records. The ACLU argues that without a court order the FBI should at least show individual suspicion before invading the privacy and free speech rights [...]

Tracy, California: Journalists seek access to records in child murder case

The Associated Press, Stockton Record and the Bay Area News Group filed a motion to lift the gag order and unseal court records in the Sandra Cantu murder case. -db Tracy Press May 12, 2010 By TP staff Three news companies today filed a motion to lift the gag order and unseal court records in [...]

California court rules restrictions on gang symbols overbroad in limiting juvenile on probation

A California appeals court ruled that when a lower court restricted a juvenile on probation from discussing, posting or displaying gang-related symbols, the order violated his First Amendment rights to free speech particularly when the youth would have to talk about his gang affiliation and activities in a rehabilitation program. -db First Amendment Center Commentary [...]

Attorney for army major who allegedly killed 13 starts blog on the case

After a military judge issued a gag order in the trial of a man accused of killed 13 people at Fort Hood last year, the civilian lawyer for the man started a blog to make his case for the suspect. -db CNN March 2 2010 By Larry Shaughnessy Washington (CNN) — In response to a partial [...]

ACLU challenges former San Francisco mayor Willie Brown on gag order

Willie Brown is seeking a gag order from a superior court judge for a client facing felony fraud charges. In filing an amicus brief against the order, lawyers for the American Civil Liberties Union of Northern California said the request shows a “shocking disregard” for the First Amendment. -DB Legal Pad CaL Law Blog October [...]

No gag order in Chauncey Bailey murder trial

 In the Chauncey Bailey murder, Superior Court Judge Morris Jacobson released 800 pages of grand jury testimony and refused defense pleas to impose a gag order on lawyers. -DB The Oakland Tribune  July 31, 2009  By Thomas Peele OAKLAND — A judge on Thursday afternoon refused to impose a gag order on lawyers and others involved [...]