Law Enforcement ($) vs Lawyer ($$$) and being Catholic

[wjp984]

Model Rules of Professional Conduct
Client-Lawyer Relationship
Rule 1.6 Confidentiality Of Information
(a) A lawyer shall not reveal information relating to the representation of a client unless the client gives informed consent, the disclosure is impliedly authorized in order to carry out the representation or the disclosure is permitted by paragraph (b).

(b) A lawyer may reveal information relating to the representation of a client to the extent the lawyer reasonably believes necessary:

(1) to prevent reasonably certain death or substantial bodily harm;

(2) to prevent the client from committing a crime or fraud that is reasonably certain to result in substantial injury to the financial interests or property of another and in furtherance of which the client has used or is using the lawyer’s services;

(3) to prevent, mitigate or rectify substantial injury to the financial interests or property of another that is reasonably certain to result or has resulted from the client’s commission of a crime or fraud in furtherance of which the client has used the lawyer’s services;

(4) to secure legal advice about the lawyer’s compliance with these Rules;

(5) to establish a claim or defense on behalf of the lawyer in a controversy between the lawyer and the client, to establish a defense to a criminal charge or civil claim against the lawyer based upon conduct in which the client was involved, or to respond to allegations in any proceeding concerning the lawyer’s representation of the client; or

(6) to comply with other law or a court order

Seems to me that if you honestly believed your clients were guilty of fraud or lieing as you say, under b2 or b3, you could report the situation. If you don’t know they are lieing and are just suspicous, then it seems like you just have a very negative attitude towards your clients due to your experiences.

When I become an attorney I think I will follow the never reveal option even if there is a may scenario. In my opinion, anything you are told is something you otherwise would not hear if the client believes you will reveal it to someone. I mean, by your argument why should anyone be priests? They have to hear our countles sins and how bad we all are all the time in Confession and they can’t go to the authorities and tell on us.

Being an attorney is a noble profession in my opinion and writing briefs and winning arguments can be a lot of fun. It’s even more fun winnin in real life as I did with one of my briefs last summer at an intership and hope to do so again at my summer internship this summer.

On a side note, because of your post and me having to refute it I guess I have a head start on studying for the MPRE now as I’ll probably take it some time next semester.

 

[basenji]

Please keep in mind that your first several years in LE will more than likely involve shift work as well as having to work on Sundays, holidays and Holy Days of Obligation. Granted, your line of work will be a legitimate impediment however it will still be a barrier and a major pain at times – especially if you are going to start a family sooner rather than later.

OTOH, once your career continues and you are firmly (and safely) behind a desk you will then have time to go to law school at night, possibly with a tuition reimbursement.

Contact your local PD’s recruiter(s) and ask to go on a ride-along. They will be more than happy to spend tiime with you and answer your questions. They are hungry for intelligent and committed candidates, I can assure you.

If you do choose to the hit streets: stay dry (and safe) out there.

Peace

 

[j2c99]

Please keep in mind that your first several years in LE will more than likely involve shift work as well as having to work on Sundays, holidays and Holy Days of Obligation. Granted, your line of work will be a legitimate impediment however it will still be a barrier and a major pain at times – especially if you are going to start a family sooner rather than later.

OTOH, once your career continues and you are firmly (and safely) behind a desk you will then have time to go to law school at night, possibly with a tuition reimbursement.

Contact your local PD’s recruiter(s) and ask to go on a ride-along. They will be more than happy to spend tiime with you and answer your questions. They are hungry for intelligent and committed candidates, I can assure you.

If you do choose to the hit streets: stay dry (and safe) out there.

Peace

Thank you for the good insight, basenji. Welcome to the forums, I’m a noob here too, and I love this place! You’re right on, I’ve been meaning to do a ride-along at some local PDs in my college hometown, even though thats not where I think I will settle down, but I can definitely ask questions about this and see what officers think.

Thanks again, and God bless you, and wjp984, thank you both for the posts.

 

[basenji]

Keep us posted!

ps: And plenty of men become priests later in life after having successfully been in LE and/or Law beforehand. Please don’t rule out that very fantastic option.

pps: God Bless.

 

[PoliSciProf]

I advise a lot of students in your situation. My advice is to follow your instincts and go into police work. Law school will aways be an option and you will be a better lawyer for the experience you will have had as a cop. One of my former students (a criminal justice major), spent 10 years as a cop to have a vested pension and then went to law school. He is now a very highly regarded criminal defense lawyer. I usually mention to my advisees in your situation to consider the coast guard (because I have known many CGers who really enjoyed their time in the service). The CJ is a law enforcement, service-oriented quasi-military organization which provides great opportunity for leadership since it is the smallest of the uniformed services.