If an inmate writes to a lawyerand reveals details of a crime, if they decide not to hire that lawyer can that information be used against them?
Get Legal Help Today
Compare Quotes From Top Companies and Save
Secured with SHA-256 Encryption
If an inmate writes to a lawyerand reveals details of a crime, if they decide not to hire that lawyer can that information be used against them?
Asked on July 11, 2011 under Criminal Law, Texas
Answers:
FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney
Answered 13 years ago | Contributor
The answer depends upon whether or not the letter that the inmate wrote to the lawyer was written out of the blue to the lawyer or was written as part of an intended or possible attorney-client relationship.
If the attorney is to possibly represent the inmate as an attorney, the lawyer most likely could assert the attorney-client privilege for not disclosing what was stated in the letter about the details of the crime, or the inmate could. If so, the letter could be inadmisisble for any future proceeding.
However, if the attorney received the letter in the mail from the inmate referencing the details of the crime, had not idea who this inmate was or why the letter was sent out of the blue, then the contents of the letter could be used against the inmate in a criminal proceeding if the attorney informs law enforcement about it.
IMPORTANT NOTICE: The Answer(s) provided above are for general information only. The attorney providing the answer was not serving as the attorney for the person submitting the question or in any attorney-client relationship with such person. Laws may vary from state to state, and sometimes change. Tiny variations in the facts, or a fact not set forth in a question, often can change a legal outcome or an attorney's conclusion. Although AttorneyPages.com has verified the attorney was admitted to practice law in at least one jurisdiction, he or she may not be authorized to practice law in the jurisdiction referred to in the question, nor is he or she necessarily experienced in the area of the law involved. Unlike the information in the Answer(s) above, upon which you should NOT rely, for personal advice you can rely upon we suggest you retain an attorney to represent you.