The Minuses of Bringing a Plus One to Meetings with Counsel

November 4, 2019

It’s a privilege to have a close family, but the presence of family members for conversations with counsel can waive privilege. Nowhere does this create more of a potential problem than in criminal prosecutions. In such cases, it is not uncommon for a client to want a spouse, parent, or even child on hand at counsel’s office to discuss, for example, general strategy, the risks of going to trial, or plea options. The desire to include family members in these conversations makes sense, because the choices an individual makes in a criminal matter can have wide-ranging consequences for loved ones. But including family members in conversations with counsel creates the risk that the conversation will not be treated as confidential, and that one of those family members could be called to testify to the contents of the conversation. It is important that counsel, clients, and family members alike understand those risks and how to minimize them. [...]

Attorneys

Brian A. Jacobs