Judge faces ethics investigation over prosecutor's viewing of live courtroom feed
An Ohio judge is reportedly facing a legal ethics investigation because of a live feed of his courtroom proceedings that was available for the Warren County prosecutor to view in his office.
The Cincinnati Enquirer says it has obtained documents that indicate Common Pleas Judge Donald Oda is being probed. However, the judge declined the newspaper’s request for comment, citing the confidential nature of the investigation.
Local lawyers complained about the live feed, when they found out about it, arguing that it could permit county prosecutor David Fornshell to overhear confidential attorney-client conversations.
Fornshell says he has viewed the live feed a few times, and has never heard anything confidential. He said he will abide by any decision by the judges in charge of the court to stop the practice.
Related coverage:
ABAJournal.com: “Judge says he had no obligation to disclose prosecutor’s live feed of court hearings”
ABAJournal.com: “After prosecutor’s live courtroom feed is disclosed, judges consider expanding viewing areas”
