Criminal defense lawyers are often seen as having the hardest task among all members of the legal fraternity. They defend the rights of defendants as enshrined in the Constitution. Their professional conduct and indeed that of all attorneys is governed by rules adopted from the model developed by the American Bar Association. Most states adopt this model with a few modifications of their own.
All lawyers Riverside members should uphold the set code of conduct in the state they are practicing lest they be penalized by the legal association. An attorney is supposed to maintain confidentiality and treat clients with respect. In any case, the client is the one providing the attorney with an income through payment of representation fees. A client needs to know what is happening and the direction a case will take. Here are some responsibilities of criminal lawyers in Riverside.
* Representation. Criminal lawyers are supposed to represent clients competently. This calls for an understanding of court procedures and the entire substance of this branch of law. Procedures define the way courts work for instance, how trials should be conducted. The substance of criminal law defines which acts should be punished and to what extent. It also provides guidelines on how a defendant is to be protected.
* Communication with clients. Any member of the lawyers Riverside fraternity is supposed to maintain regular communication. Timeliness should also be adhered to. If a lawyer comes across information which could be helpful to his/her client, it should be passed. Sometimes the state may offer a bargain. The client should be notified immediately. At the same time, the attorney is supposed to provide answers to questions from client. These normally relate to expectations on court proceedings.
* Conflict of interest. All lawyers have the duty of avoiding situations where a conflict of interest may arise. They should carefully check whether there is
another party represented by them who has a similar interest in the case. It may be another defendant or a case of bias and personal differences. All these have the potential of putting the entire case in jeopardy. Should there be a conflict later on in the case, the attorney may have to pull out.
* Confidentiality. Lawyers and doctors have the same responsibility of maintaining client confidentiality. Client matters should not be discussed with friends, neighbors or spouses. Doing so would be breaching client confidentiality. Any private discussion between a client and lawyer is supposed to remain with the two. However, if a lawyer happens to learn that a client is planning to lie while under oath or is intending to harm someone, such information can be divulged. It may be given to the police, presiding judge or other parties responsible.
lawyers Riverside – Lawyers Riverside professionals not only focus on criminal cases. They also deal with other legal areas in a broad spectrum. If you are interested in learning more about attorneys and the court process, visit our website.
