Can a consultation with an attorney be used against you later?

Full question:

I have always wondered. If you go to an attorney for consultation is anything you say to him during this consultation be used later in a court of law against you even if you did not pick him to be your attorney.

  • Category: Courts
  • Subcategory: Attorneys
  • Date:
  • State: National

Answer:

The attorney-client privilege protects certain communications between you and your attorney, but it has specific requirements. For the privilege to apply, the communication must be confidential, intended for legal advice, and made to or from an attorney.

However, this privilege does not cover the mere fact that you consulted with an attorney or the general topic of your discussion. It only protects the actual content of your communications during that consultation.

This content is for informational purposes only and is not legal advice. Legal statutes mentioned reflect the law at the time the content was written and may no longer be current. Always verify the latest version of the law before relying on it.

FAQs

Speaking without a lawyer can lead to misunderstandings or misinterpretations of your situation. Anything you say could be used against you in legal proceedings. A lawyer can help protect your rights and ensure that your statements are made in a way that does not jeopardize your case.