Lying to your lawyer...

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Garrison_BC

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Hello,

Is it best to be completely honest with your lawyer even if it goes against your case?

Will the judge listen to my honest statement but still accept a different story (a lie) to use in court? Or is that totally unheard of...

Thank you
 
Garrison BC said:
Hello,

Is it best to be completely honest with your lawyer even if it goes against your case?

Will the judge listen to my honest statement but still accept a different story (a lie) to use in court? Or is that totally unheard of...

Thank you
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No you never lye to your attorney it will only screw up your case. Testimony in court is given under oath. Lying under oath is perjury. The judge could bring in a charge of perjury.
 
Thanks for the reply.

But if I tell the lawyer the truth and he distorts my story to make me appear better, wouldn't that be lying under oath for my lawyer?

And if the judge asks me if what my lawyer said was true, then I would HAVE to say "no" or else I'll lie under oath? Correct?
 
Garrison BC said:
Thanks for the reply.

But if I tell the lawyer the truth and he distorts my story to make me appear better, wouldn't that be lying under oath for my lawyer?

And if the judge asks me if what my lawyer said was true, then I would HAVE to say "no" or else I'll lie under oath? Correct?
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Are you a defendant or plaintiff? If you are a defendant you do not have to give incriminating testimony.
 
Green Hornet said:
Are you a defendant or plaintiff? If you are a defendant you do not have to give incriminating testimony.
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I'm the defendant. I was charged with a misdemeanor in retail theft. I gave back the stolen items to the guards


Do you mean I don't have to give incriminating testimony to the judge or to my lawyer?

I'm assuming judge because everyone here says to be completely honest to your lawyer.
 
Garrison BC said:
I'm the defendant. I was charged with a misdemeanor in retail theft. I gave back the stolen items to the guards


Do you mean I don't have to give incriminating testimony to the judge or to my lawyer?

I'm assuming judge because everyone here says to be completely honest to your lawyer.
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Yes you don't have to take the stand,tell the lawyer the truth. If you stole the merchandise he will in all likelihood not put you on the stand,he will either try to get the case squelched for lack of evidence or plea bargain it down to something less harsh.
 
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I know this is an old post but this one needs a good professional answer. Let's hope I'm good enough to give it!

A good attorney doesn't want to know if you are guilty. While your attorney can not and will not reveal what you have told him/her, that same attorney is not suppose to knowingly put perjured testimony on the stand. So, while he/she won't tell on you if they know you are guilty, they might not be able adequately defend you because they know you are lying on the stand.

It is best for your attorney just not to know if you are guilty or not. You don't ever LIE to your attorney because your attorney is the ONLY one on your side. FOLLOW your attorney's lead. You may not think they are doing anything, or they aren't doing the right thing but usually they are doing something you don't know or understand.

I'm not trying to be condescending, but law is just not commonly understood by all. Rely on your attorney or find another one that you trust.
 
jharris352 said:
I know this is an old post but this one needs a good professional answer. Let's hope I'm good enough to give it!

A good attorney doesn't want to know if you are guilty. While your attorney can not and will not reveal what you have told him/her, that same attorney is not suppose to knowingly put perjured testimony on the stand. So, while he/she won't tell on you if they know you are guilty, they might not be able adequately defend you because they know you are lying on the stand.

It is best for your attorney just not to know if you are guilty or not. You don't ever LIE to your attorney because your attorney is the ONLY one on your side. FOLLOW your attorney's lead. You may not think they are doing anything, or they aren't doing the right thing but usually they are doing something you don't know or understand.

I'm not trying to be condescending, but law is just not commonly understood by all. Rely on your attorney or find another one that you trust.
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As with 99.99999% of your advice, you're right on point, Brother Harris!
 
That is a big no-no. It will only do you more harm than good. I am making a thesis right now and some of the advises here will be of substantial value to my research. Thanks as well :)
 
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