would the same rules apply for a paralegal?

Question

as they would for an attorney if a client confesses to the crime they are charged with? if the crime was confessed to the paralegal and not the attorney would the lawyer still have the duity to profess this to the court? also what if the client asked the paralegal not to tell the attorney of there confession?

Answer 1

A paralegal is absolutely bound by the confidentiality rules governing attorneys. If a client confesses to the paralegal, the paralegal must tell the attorney and no one else. The attorney may NOT tell the court without the client's permission. Only the intent to commit a crime in the future can be disclosed.

Answer 2

The confession would be privileged, if made to the attorney or a paralegal. Disclosure by the lawyer would subject him to disciplinary action by his state bar. Lawyers cannot assist in the commission of a crime. For example in your situation, an attorney could not ethically under those circumstances place his client on the stand and ask him whether he committed the crime knowing that he would perjure himself. It's quite a different matter to disclose a client confidence, however. The ramifications of an unauthorized disclosure by a paralegal would be governed by the laws of the particular state.

Answer 3

Paralegals and attorneys are bound by similar ethics. If the paralegal is an employee of an attorney, and if the crime was confessed to the paralegal, the same attorney-client privelage applies to the information. The paralegal would probably be compelled to tell the attorney on the case about the confession, as I see it, because of his ethical obligations.

Answer 4

The paralegal has no right, to keep it from the attorney. But there is such a thing as attorney client privileges, and if I were that paralegal, I wouldn't even get involved, because one wrong move can cost you a job,not to mention an offense.

Answer 5

The duty of confidentiality extends to all members of the firm regardless of level.

Answer 6

never say nothin