Question by michael r: What would a lawyer tell a client if the client told him he just committed a armed robbery?
Someone walks into a lawyers office, and asks to talk to a lawyer. He proceeds to tell the lawyer that he has committed a armed robbery the night before. What would the lawyer tell the client, and what steps would they take in solving this case.
Best answer:
Answer by Ranger4402
The lawyer can’t advise the client to flee the jurisdiction.
The lawyer can’t advise the client to destroy evidence or threaten witnesses or try to bribe them.
The lawyer would ask why this person is making such a claim? Does this person wish to turn himself into the police?
The lawyer may advise the client to surrender to the police because that could reflect positively when it comes time to sentence the defendant.
Give your answer to this question below!
First, you tell him to shut up.
Second, he would take no steps in ‘solving’ the case. Solving crimes is the responsibility of the police / DA, not a defense lawyer. The lawyer has nothing to do ‘unless’ the client is arrested and charged, except for giving advice. (And he can’t advise him to do anything illegal.)
Knowing that your client is guilty restricts your options at trial, because a lawyer cannot legally present evidence at trial that he knows is false. If he knows the guy robbed the bank, for example, he cannot put his girlfriend on the stand to testify that he was home in bed at the time.
Richard