Seattle Criminal Attorney | Attorney-Client Privilege
Whether a Seattle criminal attorney, a civil lawyer, or simply a regular individual on the roadway, nearly everyone has heard of and has a vague impression concerning what the attorney-client privilege is. If we haven’t dealt with it straightforwardly in our own lives then we’ve just about undoubtedly had the occasion to see it in action on TV or in the movies.
But what is the attorney-client privilege in fact? Does it mean that when you disclose to a attorney something that they can’t reveal to anybody no matter what? And when does it commence? Do you have to retain the criminal defense attorney? And when does it end? Will a criminal attorney in fact take your secrets to their grave? Read on here at the Seattle Criminal Defense Attorney Blog to have these questions answered.
Let’s begin with what the privilege denotes. And, because I am a Seattle criminal defense attorney, we’ll use it in the perspective of criminal law, even though it applies to other areas of the law equally. The lawyer-client benefit is the outline that everything you inform your attorney, in private (when merely the two of you are there) is restricted. This stands for the lawyer cannot reveal to anybody what you have conversed concerning. They can’t inform their spouse, they can’t tell their associates, they can’t reveal to the judge, even if ordered to do so. The only point they can reveal is if the information you’ve told them is to perpetrate the commission of a crime or the loss of life or property of someone. It is a very strong privilege.
And the best thing is, the privilege starts right when you walk in the door. You don’t even have to have retained the attorney for the benefit to attach. It occurs automatically, and even if you don’t employ that lawyer, they nevertheless have to keep your secrets secure. Let me provide you an example to show you how strong it can be. Let’s say you are looking for a divorce and you go talk to a lawyer regarding it.
You inform him all concerning your circumstances and what has been going on, he quotes you a cost, and you disclose to him it’s too high-priced and go find someone else. A week afterward your companion comes in and desires to speak to a attorney regarding a divorce. The attorney not only can’t take on the case because he’s already spoken to you and representing the companion would create a conflict, but he can’t reveal to the companion why he can’t represent her! The husband would basically be sent away. That’s how strong the benefit is.
And the benefit outlasts even your life. Your secrets die with the attorney. In the criminal law situation there are examples of people who have confessed to murdering people (it isn’t the commission of a future crime so it is classified) to their attorney, another self is tried and convicted of the murder, and the attorney never told anybody about the confession (it obviously later came out, but not in any way that affected the client). So, essentially, your secrets are safe.
There is good reason behind this privilege – your criminal defense lawyer must know as much about your case as possible to furnish you the greatest defense possible. Without your data and candid conversation, that is nearly impossible. So, the next point you are with your lawyer, don’t be afraid to speak up. Your secrets are safe.
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