PORTLAND — A Maine attorney persuaded a judge to order media not to report what he or any witnesses said during his appearance in criminal court.

The Portland Press Herald reports Anthony Sineni III of Standish was convicted of misdemeanor charges of assault and disorderly conduct Monday as part of a plea agreement. Judge Jeffrey Moskowitz told reporters at the beginning of Monday’s hearing what they could and couldn’t report. 

Judge Jeffrey Moskowitz, at the defendant’s request, told reporters at the beginning of Monday’s hearing what they could and couldn’t report. A Press Herald reporter protested and asked for time to contact legal counsel, but Moskowitz denied the request.

A newspaper attorney, Sigmund Schutz, said the judge’s media order was unconstitutional. The newspaper defied it, reporting that Sineni’s 34-year-old ex-girlfriend described their 11-year relationship and her claims of domestic abuse.

A spokeswoman for the Maine court system declined to comment.