But what is the attorney-client benefit actually? Does it represent that when you disclose to a lawyer something that they can't reveal to anyone no matter what? And when does it commence? Do you have to engage the criminal lawyer? And when does it finish? Will a criminal attorney in truth take your secrets to their grave? Read on to have these questions answered.
Let's commence with what the benefit denotes. And, since I am a DUI attorney Seattle, we'll use it in the perspective of criminal law, although it applies to other areas of the law uniformly. The lawyer-client privilege is the thought that everything you disclose to your attorney, in confidence (when merely the two of you are present) is confidential.
This represents the lawyer cannot reveal to anyone what you have spoken about. They can't inform their husband, they can't disclose to their friends, they can't inform the judge, even if ordered to do so. The only occasion they can make known is if the information you've told them is to execute the commission of a crime or the loss of life or property of a person. It is a very robust benefit.
And the best thing is, the privilege starts right when you walk in the door. You don't even have to have hired the lawyer for the privilege to attach. It happens automatically, and even if you don't engage that attorney, they still have to keep your secrets secure. Let me present you an example to show you how commanding it can be. Let's say you are looking for a divorce and you go chat to a attorney regarding it.
You inform him all about your situation and what has been going on, he quotes you a fee, and you disclose to him it's too pricey and go find a person else. A week afterward your companion comes in and wishes to speak to a attorney concerning a divorce. The lawyer not only can't adopt the case because he's already talked to you and representing the spouse would create a conflict, but he can't tell the husband why he can't represent her! The husband would simply be sent away. That's how powerful the privilege is.
And the privilege 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 confidential) 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 benefit - your criminal defense lawyer must know as much regarding your case as possible to furnish you the greatest defense possible. Without your data and candid conversation, that is nearly impossible. So, the next instance you are with your lawyer, don't be afraid to speak up. Your secrets are safe.
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