I have a friend who wants to take someone to court and sue them. Her lawyer told her to find friends that would lie to back up her story. To me, that sounds awful wrong for a lawyer to ask someone to do that. Am I wrong?
2007-03-13 10:30:58 · 9 answers · asked by xx x 1 in Politics & Government ➔ Law & Ethics
That is absolutely wrong and the lawyer can face ethical and criminal penalties for defrauding the court. Your friend and her friends could also be liable. Tell your friend to hire a new lawyer - she has that right.
2007-03-13 11:10:36 · answer #1 · answered by EthanHunt 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
In Australia legal practitioners have the right of confidentiality between themselves and the client. Meaning if their client told them they were guilty there is no way, unless the client or the lawyer told anyone, that anyone would find out. However it would be unethical.
However, the lawyer being bold enough to say something like that is unbelievable. It's unethical at least and most likely perversion of justice, contempt of court or another such charge.
It is possible that your friend misinterpreted what her representation told her - for instance, is it possible she was aked to try and find friends who could corroborate the story rather than lie about it?
It's always a sad day for the legal profession, when some lawyer would rather lie to win a case rather than develop their own arguments. I'd advise your friend to find another lawyer, one that doesn't ask her to lie, or else her and her friends who support her, should they choose to lie in court, could be in trouble also.
2007-03-13 11:10:44 · answer #2 · answered by xxalmostfamous1987xx 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Sounds like a typical court proceding from here! The lawyer wants to win the case, and collect his/her fee from the client. It seems this lawyer is willing to "bend a few little rules" to make this happen.
Is it right? NO! Is it Ethical? NO! Is it the way dang near all liars (hot d***! I mean LAWYERS) work? You bet you A**!
A civil proceding is a way for two people to find out which of them has the "best" (read as sneakiest, slyest, or least ethical) lawyer.
Dang near all of them [liars/lawyers] do it ... the best ones don't get CAUGHT!
2007-03-13 17:18:58 · answer #3 · answered by ornery and mean 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The lawyer is on the verge of being party to fraud (or committing it himself). I did some heavy research into attorney ethical standards in Texas, where in certain circumstances, a lawyer who knows their client has lied, is specifically required to disclose this to the judge/court.
Many people mistakenly think, if they hire a lawyer, that the lawyer is "obligated" to do whatever is needed to win their case. Not true. Lawyers are officers of the court, with specific obligations to prevent misuse of the judicial system.
Fraud is not just "wrong", it is illegal.
2007-03-13 10:48:38 · answer #4 · answered by wendy c 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Sounds like a serious case of injustice. Evil lawyer
2007-03-13 10:40:34 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
If the lawyer knows someone is lying he is required to report this and not use that statement. If he in fact asks someone to lie he is guilty of suborning perjury. He will lose his license and could go to prison himself.
2007-03-13 10:52:19 · answer #6 · answered by lestermount 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
the lawyer just wants someone to join them in the lying
2007-03-13 10:53:30 · answer #7 · answered by Fire Lt. 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It is wrong.
In fact, it's called suborning perjury and it is grounds for immediate and permanent disbarment in every state.
2007-03-13 12:55:33 · answer #8 · answered by coragryph 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Didn't you ever hear the saying "lawyers are liers"?
2007-03-13 12:21:00 · answer #9 · answered by julie j 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋