TRUTH AND THE CLIENT'S INTEREST - A U.S. PERSPECTIVE

Do lawyers - particularly defense lawyers - sacrifice truth to their client's interests?

Professor Ochieng'-Odhiambo argues that truth and the interests of the clients of defense lawyers often diverge. (See: Ochieng'-Odhiambo, Frederick. "Truth and the Client's Interest." Philospohy Now Jun. - Jul. 2010: 10-12. Print.) Since the journal is published in the U.K. and Ochieng'-Odhiambo argues from canons of legal ethics published back in 1970 by R.L. Wise, a U.S. perspective on this issue seemed appropriate.

As to defense lawyers, this issue arises in both civil and criminal cases. But, it should be addressed in the context of the ethical obligations of prosecutors and, particularly, plaintiffs' lawyers.