[cogman10]

Perhaps in the UK, but in the US a private meeting is not fine. The term is ex parte and in most states if it isn't outright banned it's highly discouraged.

Pretty much the only time it's allowed is when there's classified information in the mix, and for that there's a huge process beforehand to make sure the defense has access to enough information to make their defense.

[rahimnathwani]

It doesn't seem like there was a 'huge process beforehand' in the case I mentioned:

https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=40810045

And I'm pretty sure there was no 'classified information in the mix'.

[cogman10]

Yeah, that's a corrupt judge that's going to be reversed on appeal.

The part that sucks is there likely won't be any other consequence for the judge over this bs behavior. He should be impeached and removed.