Question

A client hired an attorney to represent her in a burglary charge. During a meeting with the attorney and with the understanding that any information would be confidential, the client advised the attorney about a murder she committed. A wrongfullyaccused man was presently on trial for that same murder. Eventually, the attorney was able to negotiate a plea deal for the client on her burglary charge. They finalized the plea deal and the attorney's representation ended. Soon thereafter, the attorney discovered that a jury had convicted an innocent man for the murder the client had committed and confessed to the attorney. The wrongfully-convicted men received a life sentence, without the possibility of parole. The attorney contacted the District Attorney's office that handled the murder trial and left an anonymous tip stating that the client confessed to committing the murder. Was the attorney's conduct proper?

Answer 1

The attorney's conduct raises ethical and legal concerns.

Step-by-step explanation:

The attorney's conduct in this situation raises ethical and legal concerns. While the attorney had a duty to maintain client confidentiality regarding the burglary charge, they also had a duty to prevent an innocent person from being wrongfully convicted. However, the attorney's approach of leaving an anonymous tip to the District Attorney's office might not have been the most appropriate course of action. Instead, the attorney should have considered reporting the new information through proper legal channels or seeking legal advice on the best course of action.