Paula Reed Ward Allegheny County Court of Common Pleas Allegheny County Court of Common Pleas Judge Anthony Mariani
TribLIVE's Daily and Weekly email newsletters deliver the news you want and information you need, right to your inbox. An Allegheny County court watch program filed a federal lawsuit Tuesday against Common Pleas Judge Anthony M. Mariani, accusing him of violating the public’s First Amendment rights by blocking virtual access to proceedings in his courtroom. The Abolitionist Law Center’s Court Watch program involves volunteers observing dozens of criminal court proceedings each week and then reporting observations to the public. Since January, the program has requested virtual access to more than 100 hearings before Mariani. He has refused each time.