does the client konw what the attorney knows

by Bradly Hills 5 min read

The attorney-client privilege is a rule that preserves the confidentiality of communications between lawyers and clients. Under that rule, attorneys may not divulge their clients' secrets, nor may others force them to.

Will a lawyer do whatever his client wants?

(3) offer evidence that the lawyer knows to be false. If a lawyer, the lawyer’s client, or a witness called by the lawyer, has offered material evidence and the lawyer comes to know of its falsity, the lawyer shall take reasonable remedial measures, including, if necessary, disclosure to the tribunal.

Can a lawyer represent his client if he pleads not guilty?

Mar 24, 2016 · Judge, prosecutor, police, jury and lawyer may all know that the client is guilty and the client can still go free. And even if the lawyer knows that the client is guilty, the same crime might get a sentence between five and ten years, for example, and the lawyer should present the case to try to get five years prison for the client and not ten.

Can a lawyer reveal confessions to a client?

The attorney-client privilege is a rule that preserves the confidentiality of communications between lawyers and clients. Under that rule, attorneys may not divulge their clients' secrets, nor may others force them to. The purpose of the privilege is to encourage clients to openly share information with their lawyers and to let lawyers provide effective representation.

Can a lawyer talk to a client without their consent?

A client saying so does not mean that a lawyer knows for certain that the client is guilty; a signed confession does not constitute absolute proof either (and people do all sorts of crazy things against their best interest). "Guilt" often involves assessing mental state (e.g. "reasonable fear"), plus a careful reading of the law.

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Do clients tell their lawyers the truth?

In California, a lawyer must disclose to the tribunal that a client's statement made in litigation is perjurious if reasonable remedial measures fail to correct the effect of the false evidence.

Can a lawyer disclose confidential information?

The confidentiality rule, for example, applies not only to matters communicated in confidence by the client but also to all information relating to the representation, whatever its source. A lawyer may not disclose such information except as authorized or required by the Rules of Professional Conduct or other law.

When can a lawyer break confidentiality?

When can a solicitor breach confidentiality? A solicitor cannot be under a duty of confidentiality if the client is trying to use them or the firm to commit fraud or other crimes. A client cannot make a solicitor the confidant of a crime and expect them to close up their lips upon any secret they dare to disclose.Jan 7, 2021

What should you not say to a lawyer?

9 Taboo Sayings You Should Never Tell Your LawyerI forgot I had an appointment. ... I didn't bring the documents related to my case. ... I have already done some of the work for you. ... My case will be easy money for you. ... I have already spoken with 5 other lawyers. ... Other lawyers don't have my best interests at heart.More items...•Mar 17, 2021

Under what circumstances can an attorney reveal information about the client that the attorney obtained during the representation of that client?

(a) A lawyer shall not reveal information relating to the representation of a client unless the client gives informed consent, the disclosure is impliedly authorized in order to carry out the representation or the disclosure is permitted by paragraph (b).

What is the lawyers duty of confidentiality?

The duty of confidentiality applies to information about your client's affairs irrespective of the source of the information. It continues despite the end of the retainer or the death of the client when the right to confidentiality passes to the client's personal representatives.Nov 25, 2019

Is name of client confidential?

"In most situations, the identity of a client is not considered confidential and in such circumstances Attorney may disclose the fact of the representation to Prospective Client without Witness Client's consent." Citing to Los Angeles County Bar Association Professional Responsibility and Ethics Committee Op.Mar 14, 2018

When can you disclose information about a client?

Generally, you can disclose confidential information where: The individual has given consent. The information is in the public interest (that is, the public is at risk of harm due to a patient's condition)Apr 5, 2019

Are you required to declare if you know a client?

The general rule is that a solicitor must keep the affairs of their client confidential unless disclosure is required or permitted by law or the client consents. ... However, simply because a person is a client does not mean that information gained by you that does not relate to a retainer is confidential.Aug 30, 2016

Do lawyers tell the truth all the time?

Lawyers must be honest, but they do not have to be truthful. A criminal defence lawyer, for example, in zealously defending a client, has no obligation to actively present the truth. Counsel may not deliberately mislead the court, but has no obligation to tell the defendant's whole story.

Why do lawyers ignore you?

There's bad news your attorney doesn't want to deliver. If your attorney is not experienced or efficient, they may have missed a deadline or made another mistake and aren't willing to confess their error. There could also be some bad news that is entirely outside of the attorney's control.Mar 29, 2021

How often should I hear from my attorney?

You should never be afraid or feel like an intrusion to contact your attorney every three weeks or so, or more frequently if there is a lot going on with your health or other matters related to your legal case. There is of course a limit to how much you should be contacting or sharing.Jun 17, 2020

What Is Attorney-Client Privilege?

  • The attorney-client privilege applies to all areas of law in which individuals seek the counsel of legal professionals, but is of particular importance in criminal law. As one of the oldest recognized privileges concerning confidential communication, the attorney-client privilege generally means what you say to an attorney can’t be repeated by that attorney to a third party. This concept is a…
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“Privileged” Information & Confidential Information: There Is A Difference

  • The attorney-client privilege protects only confidential communications. It does not protect underlying information, and it only has the power to protect when certain conditions are met, such as: 1. When information is intended to be confidential (i.e. communications between client and attorney with a third party present is not privileged). 2. When the communication is made to obta…
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Exceptions to The Rule

  • Here’s what really matters for what you need to know as a client during whatever attorney-client relationship you may enter into. The law is filled with exceptions, and that’s true for attorney-client privilege. Though cases vary depending on the facts and prevailing law, there are times when “privileged” information can be disclosed, and even more exceptions that can result in attorneys …
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The Take-Away: The Attorney-Client Privilege in Your Case

  • In light of the many rules, exceptions, and fact-specific situations that make these concepts quite complicated, there are some general considerations you, as the client, should be mindful of when seeking and working with legal representation. In short: 1. Be honest with your lawyer, as doing so will allow them to better provide the representation you require and prevent them from being blin…
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Not Just Crime

  • In some states, the crime-fraud exception isn't limited to crimes and fraud; it also applies where the client's object is a civil tort. For example, the exception could apply if a landlord sought advice about unlawfully evicting a tenant. Note that many torts are also crimes—assault and trespassing are but two examples. So, even in a state where the client's objective must be criminal in order f…
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Crimes and frauds

  • Whether the crime-fraud exception applies depends on the content and context of the communication. The exception covers communications about a variety of crimes and frauds, including (to name just a few): 1. "suborning perjury" (asking an attorney to present testimony she knows is false) 2. destroying or concealing evidence 3. witness tampering, and 4. concealing inc…
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Past, Present, Or Future

  • Perhaps the most important consideration about the crime-fraud exception is whether the communication at hand relates to a past wrong, or a present or future one. Communications about past crimes and frauds are almost always privileged, but communications about ongoing or future ones usually aren't. Note, however, that many courts distinguish present from future inten…
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Mandatory Disclosure

  • If the crime-fraud exception applies, the prosecution can subpoena the attorney and force him to disclose the contents of the communication in question. But, apart from the crime-fraud exception, some situations ethically require lawyers to disclose communications. If lawyers don't, they risk disciplinary sanctions, and possibly criminal charges. Examples include the following. 1…
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State Variations and Expert Help

  • Although there are many similarities in the attorney-client privilege from state to state, and in state and federal court, there are variations. Evidence rules, statutes, and court decisions shape the privilege, and determine when the crime-fraud exception applies. Although every state recognizes the crime-fraud exception, when and how it operates may vary somewhat. While there are some …
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