One of the most important principles in the US legal system is attorney-client privilege. This privilege means all communications between attorneys and their clients are legally protected. Just as information you reveal to medical professionals must be confidential, similar protections apply to your legal conversations.

Here’s why attorney-client privilege is an important tool for clients and attorneys.

You Can (And Should) Be Honest With Your Attorney

Attorney-client privilege is a concept of fundamental importance to our democratic system because it enables clients to be completely open with their attorneys. Whenever someone is accused of a crime, they need proper legal counsel, whether minor or serious. That means they need to know they can speak openly with their attorneys about the case’s details without worrying about that information being used against them.

The precise laws surrounding attorney-client privilege vary from state to state. For example, it is covered by rule 4-1.6 in Florida. However, throughout the US, the attorney-client concept means you can always talk to your lawyer about your case’s details without prejudicing your trial.

Attorneys Can’t Turn Against You.

Sometimes, attorneys and their clients don’t get along. It isn’t uncommon for legal counsel to change partway through, especially in more difficult and complex cases. Anyone going through the court system must choose the legal representation they think is best for them. If defendants are concerned about a vindictive attorney working against them, it could deter them from seeking new counsel when they want to.

Thanks to attorney-client privilege, clients can be assured that they don’t have to worry about possibly being blackmailed or railroaded even if they switch attorneys.

Exceptions To The Rule

The attorney-client privilege means that clients are free to discuss crimes they have already committed and been charged with without worrying about that information being passed on to the police. However, if you were to reveal to your attorney that you had plans to go and commit another crime or cause harm to another person, then attorney-client privilege no longer applies.

It is also important to remember that the attorney-client privilege doesn’t cover perjury crime, which is lying under oath. If your attorney knows that you plan to lie on the witness stand or have already done so, they may have to remove themselves from your case entirely.

Finally, the attorney-client privilege may not be used to suppress corporate communications with counsel and employees relevant to an internal investigation. If a corporation invokes the right in these circumstances, it is liable to challenge in court.

Everyone must understand attorney-client privilege, how it works, and its implications for our justice system. The right is one of the most important legal protections that attorneys and their clients have. Without this privilege, it would be significantly more difficult for lawyers to render their services effectively.