How does attorney-client privilege work? And how is it not perjury to defend the innocence of someone who admitted their guilt to you?
In: 2
Fundamentally speaking, the purpose of an attorney is to put everyone on the same playing field, the attorney acts as the client’s mouth and brain and speaks for them. A lawyer doesn’t just go up to the stand and say “XYZ is not guilty”, they bring forth evidence that is favorable to you while the court brings evidence against you.
That said, a lawyer isn’t allowed to lie about whether or not their client committed the crime, nor is it important for them to ever state so. Their purpose is to present evidence since in the end, words are just words and there’s no way to ensure any of it is true, so evidence is key.
And an additional note, you plead guilty/not guilty to crimes, not actions. Pleading not guilty to a murder charge does not mean you deny ever killing someone, you just think the charge you’re assigned with is not appropriate.
(disclaimer: this isn’t legal advice and I’m not a lawyer. Anything I just said could be incorrect)
Latest Answers