kairu
Since: Oct, 2010
May 24th 2011 at 12:17:13 PM
•••
Is it seriously illegal for an attorney to bust someone who confesses to him? How is it legal NOT to do that?
Hide / Show Replies
CEOIII
Since: Jan, 2001
Jun 1st 2011 at 3:00:52 PM
•••
1. Lawyers aren't cops, thus they can't "bust" anyone.
2. The whole point to attorney/client privilege is for a client to be completely open and honest with his attorney, so the attorney can help the client achieve his ends. (winning a lawsuit, getting acquitted, etc.) A client that's constantly worried his attorney is going to run to the cops isn't going to be completely honest with his attorney, and thus that attorney isn't helping that client to the best of his ability.
I'm Charlie Owens, good night and good luck. PSNID: CEOIII 1117
The statement "... as it is often not recognised in court" is simply untrue. Several countries have laws on their book protecting the priest-penitent privilege and preventing clerics from being prosecuted for keeping their confessions secret.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Priest80%93penitent_privilege
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seal_of_the_Confessional_in_the_Catholic_Church#Recognition_by_civil_authorities