Final answer:
An attorney may counsel or assist a client to engage in a lawful and proper course of action, while adhering to legal and ethical standards, including providing advice on deportation risks and avoiding conflicts of interest.
Step-by-step explanation:
An attorney may discuss the legal consequences of any proposed course of conduct with a client and may counsel or assist a client to engage in a lawful and proper course of action, even if it is unpopular or controversial. Attorneys must act within the bounds of the law and their ethical duties; therefore, they cannot counsel or assist clients in engaging in illegal activities or instruct clients to withhold important information from the court. Cases such as Strickland v. Washington and Padilla v. Kentucky show the standards and responsibilities that defense attorneys must uphold, including advising clients of the legal risks such as deportation consequences and providing effective legal representation to avoid conflicts of interest.
The rights of a defendant, including the right to an attorney and the right to remain silent, are fundamental in the American legal system, as outlined by the Sixth Amendment and Miranda rights. Moreover, legal representatives like the solicitor general play key roles in determining the government's stance in legal cases and presenting them before the Court. It is essential for attorneys to adhere to legal and ethical standards, as there are significant penalties for violating the law.