Court Opinion

ID: 9672795
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-24 04:00:33.059899+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T18:16:18.419786
License: Public Domain

Boyle, J.
I concur in the result and rationale of Justice Brickley’s opinion in all respects except insofar as it can be read as permitting an attorney to be compelled to testify that he received evidence from the defendant. The instant case does not present this question since any infringement of the privilege was avoided because the sheriff testified regarding his seizure of the evidence from the attorney’s office.
Justice Brickley’s rationale would require defendant’s attorney to testify not only that the gun was in his possession, but that it was received from the defendant. Since the specter of defendant’s own attorney testifying against him or her would have the effect of undermining the defense in the eyes of the factfinder, it would appear that the attorney would have to be disqualified. DR 5-102(B).
This issue raises difficult and far-ranging questions regarding the conflict between an attorney’s responsibility to the public and counsel’s responsibility to the client. I think we should not deal with *226this question until we are presented with a record that compels a resolution.
Williams, C.J., concurred with Boyle, J.