If you have been arrested and charged with driving under the influence (DUI), you should realize that this is a serious offense and getting professional legal representation is a must. When you speak to your attorney for the first time, you may be struck by the question of how much information you should reveal to your lawyer about the arrest. You know that you will need to depend on your attorney to help you now in your time of need, but how much should you say? Read on to learn more about the special type of protection that lawyers and clients share.
The reasons behind attorney-client privilege. Many people have heard the term, but few have reason to fully understand exactly what it means and why it exists. This form of communication protection means that those accused of a crime can count on a confidential relationship with their attorneys, and that only through this protection does the means exist for the accused to receive an adequate defense. Not having the facts of the situation might severely hamper the creation of a defense, and the justice system demands that those accused are allowed a fair opportunity to defend themselves against charges.
How does the attorney-client privilege benefit you? This privilege is extended to anyone speaking to any attorney, from the moment of first contact until infinity. It covers phones calls, speech, written communications, video, email, Skype, voice recordings and more.
The extent of the privilege. This privilege is in place even if you decide not to hire the attorney you spoke with, and even if you don't pay the attorney a cent. It never expires, so nothing (with few exceptions) you say to an attorney where you are specifically seeking advice can ever be compelled to be revealed by any court of law. It covers any and all past acts.
A few exceptions to the rule. Since there are exceptions to every rule, this one is no different. It's extremely important that you fully understand the circumstances under which your communications with your attorney may not be covered by the attorney-client privilege. As a result, it's much better to check with your attorney before you say something to ensure that it will be protected, since it is impossible to "un-say" something.
- If your communication with your attorney has the potential to be overheard by a third party, it may not be considered protected since that third party may be compelled to testify about what they heard.
- In you are just speaking casually to an attorney, without seeking help or advice, it may not be considered privileged.
- If you threaten to perform a future bad act, it may not be protected.
Speak with your criminal defense or DUI attorney for more information. You also can contact someone like Angela L Walker PC for more information.
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