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In the course of representing a client, an attorney may not knowingly:

A) Make false statements of fact or law to a tribunal or fail to correct a false statement previously made.

B) Charge excessive fees for legal services, regardless of the complexity of the case.

C) Pursue a legal strategy that the attorney personally disagrees with, even if it is in the client's best interest.

D) Delay legal proceedings without valid reasons, causing unnecessary delays in the case.

1 Answer

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Final answer:

An attorney may not make false statements, charge excessive fees, delay legal proceedings without valid reasons, or pursue a dishonest legal strategy, even if they personally disagree with it, to uphold the Sixth Amendment rights.

Step-by-step explanation:

In representing a client, an attorney may not knowingly make false statements of fact or law to a tribunal or fail to correct a false statement previously made. The prohibition against making false statements is foundational to the integrity of the legal system. Additionally, charging excessive fees for legal services is not permissible, as this would be considered unethical. While an attorney may personally disagree with a legal strategy, they may pursue it if it is in the client's best interest, as long as it is lawful and does not involve dishonesty or fraud. Lastly, it is unethical for an attorney to cause unnecessary delays in legal proceedings without valid reasons.

These principles are integral to upholding the Sixth Amendment rights, which ensure that the accused have the right to a lawyer and a fair trial. Strickland v. Washington established that ineffective assistance of counsel must meet a specific standard to be considered a violation of these rights. Furthermore, the case of Gideon v. Wainwright expanded the right to counsel, ensuring that even those who cannot afford a lawyer are provided with one by the state.

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