A Mahoning County judge ordered everyone involved in a local lawsuit against Ursuline High School to stop making public comments about the case on Wednesday, following similar restrictions set in federal courts.

Judge Maureen Sweeney granted a motion from the Catholic Diocese of Youngstown and Ursuline officials to limit public statements. The judge adopted the same language used in a December gag order issued by a federal judge who is overseeing related civil rights cases.

The order prohibits the families from suing the school, the school’s representatives, and all legal counsel from making public statements or appearances about the litigation. It also forbids any person involved from disparaging the character or credibility of the other side in any public medium.

Judge Sweeney wrote that the parties must now litigate the case through the court’s official record rather than the "court of public opinion". Anyone who violates the order could face a contempt of court charge and legal penalties.

The local lawsuit, filed in November 2025, alleges that school officials ignored warnings about a planned attack on a student in the school cafeteria. The families claim the school's failure to act led to a fight that caused a student to suffer a concussion.

Attorneys for the Diocese and the school requested the order to prevent public comments from influencing potential jurors. The school and the Diocese have denied the allegations in related cases, asserting they investigate reports of misconduct and follow disciplinary procedures.