Legal Question in Criminal Law in Texas

What if a client tell's you that he has obtained a few witnesses but told you that he has paid them to lie, what should a paralegal do? What are the ethical violations there?


Asked on 5/01/10, 7:05 pm

1 Answer from Attorneys
Keith Engelke Law Office of S. Keith Engelke

The paralegal should relay this information to the attorney supervising the representation.

It is against the law to knowingly put on false testimony. If the client tells the paralegal he has told the law office.

Since the attorney could face criminal charges if the witnesses lie during their testimony it is in his interests not to call the witnesses. If placing the witnesses on the stand for truthful testimony is in the client's best interest, there is a conflict of interest and the attorney should withdraw.

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Answered on 5/06/10, 11:48 pm


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