Unit 3 Assignment: Legal Ethical Cases

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PA253 Legal Ethics | Unit 3 Assignment | | Monet Braud June 30, 2015 | In 2008, a man named Alton Logan was released from prison after serving 26 years in prison for the 1982 slaying of a security guard at a Chicago McDonald’s. That fact alone is shocking enough, but add to that, Alton Logan was innocent, and the statement becomes unbelievable. But even more unbelievable is that two lawyers, Dale Coventry and Jamie Kunz, knew who the real killer was and remained silent. In 1982, they watched while Logan was tried, convicted, and sentenced to life in prison. Dale Coventry and Jamie Kunz were the lawyers of the actual killer, Andrew Wilson. They learned of their client’s guilt while representing him for another murder and under Rule 1.6 of Illinois Rules of Professional Conduct which states, in part, “a lawyer shall not reveal information relating to the representation of a client unless the client gives informed…show more content…
This allows the client and the attorney to communicate openly and ensures that confidentiality is preserved (Natoli, 2013-2014). The exceptions provided in Rule 1.6 cover the potential loss of life, property, and reputation but no provision is made to expressly prevent an innocent person being imprisoned. Massachusetts has interpreted the ABA MRPC and made such a provision. The Massachusetts Rules of Professional Conduct Rule 3.07 states, “a lawyer may reveal, and to the extent required by Rule 3.3, Rule 4.1(b), or Rule 8.3 must reveal, such information: (1) to prevent the commission of a criminal or fraudulent act that the lawyer reasonably believes is likely to result in death or substantial bodily harm, or in substantial injury to the financial interests or property of another, or to prevent the wrongful execution or incarceration of

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