Don’t Lie to Your Lawyer
Many people ask this question: Why should you tell your lawyer the truth? You should tell your lawyer the truth for many reasons.
One: Your lawyer has your best interests in mind. Friends and family members may side with you throughout your life; however, in your legal case, your lawyer is your greatest ally.
Two: Trust your lawyer. There is attorney-client privilege, and it is most effective when you trust your lawyer and tell your lawyer the truth. In addition, lying to your lawyer could damage your case and relationship with your lawyer.
Three: Not telling your lawyer the truth can have major monetary and legal consequences, such as losing assets, facing hefty fees, experiencing prison sentences, and enduring drawn-out battles.
Four: If you tell the truth to your lawyer and in the courtroom, your lawyer will adopt a strategy to deal with it.
Five: You will be more impactful in negotiations if you tell the truth to your lawyer, and being effective greatly benefits you. Similarly, your lawyer will be able to help you and be more effective if you tell your lawyer the truth, than if you don’t tell your lawyer the truth.
Six: If you don’t tell your lawyer the truth, it will undermine your lawyer’s confidence in you; for example, your lawyer could question the narrative, evidence, and witnesses you provide.
Seven: Your lawyer or the other side could catch you in a lie. Either way, you lose your credibility, and lying under oath, or perjury, is against the law. Similarly, your lawyer cannot commit perjury for you either, as your lawyer also will face consequences, such as criminal charges and disbarment.
Eight: Your lawyer is more knowledgeable than you, especially in legal matters.
Even though they benefit more if they tell their lawyers the truth, some people lie to their lawyers. Two common reasons: They are scared to tell the truth and fear the consequences when the truth comes to light, or they don’t trust their lawyers. If you don’t trust your lawyer, get a new one.
Remember: Tell your lawyer the whole truthful story. It benefits everyone involved!
If you have questions and/or concerns about the law, about lying, about telling the truth, and more, talk to a lawyer. To learn more, to have your questions answered, and to have your concerns addressed, contact Nashville Attorney Perry A. Craft at the Law Office of Perry A. Craft, PLLC.
Perry A. Craft has dedicated his life to helping people in need. He has tried, settled, or resolved numerous civil and criminal cases in State and Federal courts, and has represented teachers and administrators before school boards, administrative judges, and the state Board of Education. Learn more about Attorney Craft.