Final answer:
In California, lawyers must abide by their clients' decisions after providing competent and informed counsel. This includes informing clients about the risks and consequences of their decisions, such as deportation risks in criminal cases, as established by Supreme Court cases like Strickland v. Washington and Padilla v. Kentucky. The right to an attorney is guaranteed by the Sixth Amendment and ensures that all defendants can make informed decisions about their defense.
Step-by-step explanation:
In California, lawyers are expected to abide by their clients' decisions regarding the objectives of the representation, which often involves counseling on potential risks and consequences. Pertinent to this discussion is Strickland v. Washington, where it was established that for a criminal defendant to obtain relief due to ineffective assistance of counsel, they must demonstrate that the counsel's performance was substandard and had an adverse effect on the outcome. In Padilla v. Kentucky, the Supreme Court further obligated criminal defense attorneys to inform their clients about the risk of deportation under certain circumstances.
Such requirements underscore the broader obligation of lawyers to provide competent legal representation, which is rooted in both the ethical guidelines of the American Bar Association and the statutory and case law of the jurisdiction within which they practice. This not only includes the necessity for clear communication about the ramifications of legal decisions but also adhering to the clients' decisions after they have been fully informed of their options and consequences.
Moreover, the Sixth Amendment ensures an accused individual's right to an attorney, which is a cornerstone of the American legal system and has been reinforced through cases such as Glasser v. United States. This right guarantees that even those who cannot afford an attorney will be provided one, ensuring that everyone has access to legal counsel and the ability to make informed decisions about their defense.