Can a trial judge order a witness not to speak publicly about what was witnessed?

Factual Questions
1

I have heard of gag orders issued to prosecution and defenst lawyers. Can these orders be extended to private citizens who are witnesses?

Suppose I witness a murder. Months go by before I am actually brought before a criminal court, and maybe yeays until a civil court hears the case. Can either civil or criminal trial judges suspend my First Amendment rights in a limited way by issuing a gag order to me personally?

Does it matter whether I am interviewed by a reporter, or write a book? That I charge someone 10K for an interview, or answer questions for free?

I certainly understand that an attorney on one side or the other might bring out this information to discredit myultomate testimony in court, but can they (with the help of a judge) prevent me from doing it?

2

Sure. Judges often issue gag orders on all participants in a trial: witnesses, potential witnesses, defense attorneys, prosecutors, law enforcement officials, etc.

3

How would I as a potential witness even know such an order was issued? I’m not hanging around listening to the various motions by the lawyers. And maybe it doesn’t get into the papers. Or I’m not even sure I’ll be called as a witness. Wouldn’t I have to be specifically named and notified of such an order?

And if I was, would there be anyone I could appealt the rulung to?

4

How would I as a potential witness even know such an order was issued?

Never been served papers, have you? :wink:

When the court needs to get a message/document to you, they become like the student loan people. They will find you.