Module 12

Sharing Information with

Lawyer/Participating in Defense Strategy

Objectives Module 12

• The client will understand the collaborative nature of the relationship with their attorney

• Be capable of telling their attorney all information regarding their case including the full story of the incident and possible witnesses or evidence

• Play a role in creating a positive working relationship with their attorney and devise strategies to address disagreements with their attorney if they were to arise

Course Pre-TestModule 12

Vocabulary Module 12

StrategyAn approach or plan of action

Defense Attorney/Public Defender • This is an attorney that

works with you and helps with your defense

• The defense attorney is the only person with whom the client has “Attorney-Client Privilege”

Attorney-Client Privilege • A rule that preserves the

confidentiality of communications between lawyers and clients

• The purpose of the privilege is to encourage clients to openly share information with their lawyers and to let lawyers provide effective representation

Evidence • Data presented to a court or jury

in proof of the facts in issue and which may include the testimony of witnesses, records, documents, or objects

• The defense and prosecution are each allowed to present evidence in support of their cases

• The judge decides on the evidence that is allowed in Court

Witness• A person who may know

something about what you did or didn’t do

• A witness will testify from the witness stand, answering questions asked by both lawyers

Helpful Tips

• There may be reasons why a client does not want to share information with their attorney

• Ask the client if this is based upon a belief that they have or a fear that they may be experiencing?

• It is the instructor’s task to ensure that the client feels comfortable working with their attorney and being truthful with he or she at all times

Objective 1 Activity • Ask the client to give examples of

how they have collaborated or “partnered” with someone in the past

• Ask the client to give examples of ways that they were able to do that

• Ask the client to name ways in which they could collaborate with their attorney

Objective 2 Activity • Discuss with the client the

importance of including details of what happened to them whey they speak with their attorney

• (The instructor should not engage the client in a conversation that pertains to details of the crime that they are accused of)

Objective 3 Activity • Discuss with the client the importance

of having a positive working relationship with their attorney

• Ask the client if they are experiencing any barriers that are keeping them from having a positive working relationship with their attorney?

• If barriers exist, the instructor will help the client identify the barriers, before writing out a plan to combat each barrier that is identified

Sharing Information with Your Attorney

Confidentiality with attorney video

Check For Understanding

• Review the Matching Game: What is a Defense Attorney worksheet (Found in the Appendix of the Instructor’s Manual)

• Review the Components of a Story worksheet (Found in the Appendix of the Instructor’s Manual)

Course Knowledge Assessment Module 12

Work Cited

Find, Law, director. Confidentiality of Initial Consultations with a Lawyer. YouTube, LawInfo.com, 12 Aug. 2013, www.youtube.com/watch?v=QDc0BGPrKto.

Gunterman, Ashley, et al. “Introduction to Competency Restoration: Understanding Why I Am Here.” Instructor's Manual: Basic Legal Knowledge and Rational Decision-Making Skills , edited by Dorinda Robinson, Colorado Dept of Human Services/Colorado Office of Behavioral Health , 2020, pp. 54–57. Competency to Stand Trial Training Guide and Materials.