Ethics

There's been news coverage of the recent suit by Duke lacrosse players against Duke administrators.  Someone who's allegdly associated with the plantiffs' lawyers set up the site Dukelawsuit.com and, more pertinent to our site, the defendants have now filed a motion alleging that the website and other meetings with the press are violations of the ethics rule against extra-judicial statements that may prejudice the proceeding.  The motion has several interesting wrinkles (e.g., how close a connection between the site and the plaintiff's lawyer is needed before we hold the lawyer responsible?).  The larger issue is whether in this internet age we can and will stick to the traditional rule against trying one's case in the press.