What is attorney-client privilege?
When you meet with an attorney, whether you hire that attorney or not,
his lips are sealed. He can't discuss your conversation with anyone
outside of his law firm.
What is the purpose of the attorney-client or a doctor-patient privilege?
There are some things you tell you doctor that you don't want
anyone else in the world to know. It’s private. But for the
professional to help you, he needs a full disclosure of all the facts
... and to encourage full disclosure, we protect that information.
Can a privilege be waived or lost?
A client has control over the privilege, so a client can voluntarily
waive that right. Also, if someone else is present in the room when you
talk with the doctor or attorney, it possibly is waived.
Does death end the client's right for his information
to be protected?
There are cases that say that the privilege continues after a client's
death.
Is there ever a situation where an attorney has a duty to disclose
otherwise confidential information?
An attorneys lips are not sealed and they should contact authorities,
if the information concerns imminent criminal activity or harm to others.
What are some examples of other types of privileges?
There is a privileges for confessions to your clergy; limited privileges
for journalist; the privilege between a husband and wife is slowly eroding,
but exists in some circumstances.
Be completely honest with your attorney so that he can properly
represent you.
