Opinion ID: 2625875
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 6

Heading: Admission of Assertedly Privileged Communication

Text: Defendant claims error in the admission, over defense objection, of evidence that defendant had asked to delay his response to the robbery plea bargain offer until after the lunch hour. Because the communication to his attorney of this request was privileged, he contends, its admission denied him due process and a fair trial. Gerald Haney, the deputy district attorney who prosecuted defendant for the robbery of Roll's pharmacy, testified that on the morning of November 3, 1980, he and Adolfo Lara, defendant's attorney, were in plea negotiations in the trial judge's chambers. Haney made an offer, which Lara left to discuss with defendant. Over defense objection, Haney testified that when Lara returned he told Haney, `My guy wants to think about it overduring the lunch hour.' Defendant's statement to Lara was not a confidential communication, within the meaning of Evidence Code section 952, because, by its nature, it was meant to be communicated by the attorney to the prosecutor. Thus, it was not privileged. ( Solon v. Lichtenstein (1952) 39 Cal.2d 75, 79-80, 244 P.2d 907; 2 Witkin, Cal. Evidence (4th ed. 2000) Witnesses, § 119, p. 375.) Defendant's constitutional contention, which depends on his claim of privilege, fails as well.