The Logan County banner. [volume] (Logan, W. Va.) 1889-1903, 1889-05-30

Code OF Ethics adopted by The
Richmond Bar Association on the
10th inst:
.Dnty Of Attorneys to each
other, to clients, and to the pub
lie.
= An atterneys.owes
entire devotion 70 the interest Of
his client. warm zeal in the main
tenance and defense of his cause.
and the exertion of the utmost
skill and ability to the end that
nothing maybe taken or-with-
held from him save BY the rules
Of law, legally applied No sac
rifice or peril, even Gloss of life
itself, can absolve from the fear
less discharge of this duty. New
eftheless, it is steaefastll ~ e-be
borne in mind tlfsststt he greatstrust
Is to be performed within and not
without the bounds Of the law
which creates it. The attorneys
office does not destroy mans ac-
eeantability to his Creator, or
loosen the duty of obedience to
law and the obligation to his
ncighbor; and it does not permit.
much less demand. violation of
law. or any lnanner. Of fraud=or
chincancry for the clients sake.
Attorneys should fearlcssly ex-
pose before the proper tribunals
corrupt or dishonest conduct in
the profession; and there should
never be any hesitancy in accept
ing employment against an attor-
ney who h3s wronged his client.
An attorney appearing or con-
tinuing as private counsel in the
prosecution for II crime of which
he believes the accused innocent,
Eforswears himself. The States
Attorney is criminalif he presses
for ;t3eonviction, when, upon the
evidence, he believes the prisoner
innocent. If the evidence is not
plain enough TO justify a nolle
prosequi, a public prosecutor
should. submit the case, with such
comments as are pertinent, ac-
companied by candid statement
of his own doubts.
An attorney cannot reject the
defense of person accused of a
criminal ofIense because he knows
Tor believes him to be guilty. IL
is his duty by all fair and lawful
means to present such defenses
as the law of the land permits, to
! the end that no one may be de
privcd Of life or liberty but By
due process Of law.
An attorney must decline in a
ciyal cause to conduct n prosecu-
ton when satisfied that the pur.
pose is merely to harass or injure
the opposite party or to work OPP.
preston and wrong.
1t is Il bad practice for an at.
torncy to communicate or argue
privately with the. judge as to tht
! merits of his cause.
/ Newspaper advertisements,cir
culars. and business cards, tender
ing professional services to tn.
general public are proper; bu'
special solicitation OF particular
lindiyiduals.to become clients1l
isreputable. Indirect advertise
ments for business, by furnishing
or inspiring editorials or pres
notices regarding causes in whicl
the attorney takes part, the man
ner in which theywere conducted
the Importance of his positions
the magnitude of the Interests
involved, and all other like self
laudation, is Of evil tendency ant
/ wholly nnprofessional.
j Newspaper publications by al
attorney as to the merits of pend
ing or anticipated litigation cal
forth discussion and reply from
the opposite party, tend to pre-
went a fair trial in the courts, ant
EotHerwise prejudice the due ad
ADMINISTRATION of justice. 1t re
quires a strong case to testify sucl
publications, and when proper, j
is unprofessional to make then
anonymously.
When an attorney is witncs
!. for his client, except as to forma
I matters, such as the attestation o
custody Of an instrlmentsand tn
like, he should leave the trial 0
! the cause to other counsel. Elk
cept when essential to the ends 0
u Justice an attorney should scru
Epnlously avoid testifying in cour
in behalf of his client as to an,
matter.
Assertions, sometimes made b,