True or False: It is not ex parte communication to inform the judge about information from a defendant relating to the defendant's case pending in the court.

• A. False
• B. True
• C. Not sure
• D. It depends

Answer: (A)

Ex parte communication is when a judge receives information from one party without the other party being present or able to participate. Informing the judge about information from a defendant outside the presence of the defense creates that private, unilateral contact and can prejudice the proceedings. So the statement is false: this is ex parte communication. If the information is shared during a formal hearing with both sides present or through a proper, filed record, then it wouldn't be ex parte.