The judge’s effort to limit access to information about the case is unusual, said Michael L. Seigel, a professor at the Levin College of Law at the University of Florida.  “As a general rule, it’s a really rare practice because it does interfere with the public’s right to know,” Professor Seigel said. “Because we’re dealing in this case with things that have special sensitivity, like psychological evaluations, that can sort of tip the scales toward what the judge did, but it’s definitely the exception rather than the rule.”  Judge Lubet also suggested a trial date in September, rather than in July or August as originally proposed, to avoid continuances. He asked Captain Nowak’s lawyer, Donald A. Lykkebak, to provide a waiver of her right to a speedy trial to allow for such a date. Mr. Lykkebak also asked that personal items retrieved from Captain Nowak’s car the night of her arrest be sealed, items that he said were not involved in the case. Releasing them would be an invasion of privacy, he said.  Mr. Lykkebak confirmed that the defense was evaluating Captain Nowak’s mental health.  But an insanity defense might not be the best legal approach, Professor Seigel said.  “A traditional insanity defense labels her as mentally ill,” he said, “and she would have to serve time in a mental institution that could turn out to be longer than a jail sentence. Given the circumstances and her mental state, it would seem to me she would be able to get a reasonably good deal, and that may be the way out.”  A version of this article appears in print on , on Page A15 of the New York edition with the headline: Judge to Seal Psychological Files in Trial of Former Astronaut. Order Reprints| Today's Paper|Subscribe
The judge also warned that continuing communication by lawyers with the news media “will keep this case stoked up in the press.”