The Attorney-Client Privilege

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“With liberty and justice for all.” Now this all too familiar clause is often forgotten like the toils of soldiers on the battlefield, repeated ad nauseum throughout the echoing literature left by our founding fathers and throughout the annals of history. America has been shown to persevere through the greatest of trials truly reflecting the American patriot’s desire to not only uphold freedom, equality, justice and humanity, but also to remember the faint yearning whispers of the oppressed crying out “Let freedom ring!” According to Michmerhuizen the Attorney-Client Privilege means “The concepts of lawyer confidentiality and Attorney-Client Privilege both concern information that the lawyer must keep private and are protective of the client’s ability to confide freely in his or her lawyer ” (1). I firmly believe that the Attorney-Client Privilege should not be abolished because it would be changing something our nation has been exposed to for so long, helps build a good relationship between client and attorney, and is most importantly the right of every American citizen. Although the other side of the issue makes valid arguments, the constitutional rights of every American citizen and the long-standing tradition of the Attorney-Client Privilege is the epicenter of the monumental success to our judicial system. The Attorney- Client Privilege is the agreement between an attorney and their client that mandates the communication between the two parties to be fully confidential and undisclosed under any circumstances (Sheila 138). There are various cases that highlight the importance and practical use of the Attorney-Client Privilege that could help one better understand what this entails. A specific situation in which the Attorne... ... middle of paper ... ...n Historical Perspective on the Attorney-Client Privilege." Jstor.og. California Law Review. Web. 15 Apr. 2012. Maloney, Sheila. The American Bar Association Guide to Resolving Legal Disputes: Inside and outside the Courtroom. New York: Random House Reference, 2007. Print. Michmerhuizen, Sue. "Confidentiality, Privilege: A Basic Value in Two Different Applications." Americanbar.org. Center for Professional Responsibility, Mar. 2007. Web. 15 Apr. 2012. . Schachner, Robert W., and John F. Phillips. How & When to Sue Your Lawyer: What You Need to Know. Garden City Park, NY: Square One, 2005. Print. Silverman, Arnold B. "Silence Is Golden—The Attorney-client Privilege." Jom 49.6 (1997): 62. Print. "What the Attorney-Client Privilege Really Means." Sgrlaw. Smith, Gambrell & Russell, LLP. Web. 15 Apr. 2012. .

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