Should I Tell My Attorney the Truth Even If It Makes Me Look Bad?

28 Jan Should I Tell My Attorney the Truth Even If It Makes Me Look Bad?

Yes! Absolutely yes. As attorneys, we have two different obligations. We are obligated to fight for our clients to help achieve what is most important to them, but we are also ethically obligated to be truthful and honest to the Court.

This is a common concern that we have heard over years of being Murfreesboro attorneys. Weekly, we hear someone say something like (1) “will this make me look bad?…” (2) “I don’t want anyone to know about…” and (3) “Please don’t judge me for…”

Let’s take each of those in turn. First, if you are concerned that something will make you look bad, and even if the truth does make you look bad, you should still tell your lawyer!. A good lawyer will have resources and knowledge in Murfreesboro and throughout Middle Tennessee that can help deal with the impact of what you tell us.

Second, if you are concerned about someone finding out what you tell your lawyer, you should know that what is shared between clients and attorneys is covered by confidentiality and will not be disclosed without your consent.

Third, if you are concerned about being judged, you may need to take a deeper look at your attorney-client relationship. Finding an attorney who you are comfortable with, who you trust, and who you believe will go to bat for you is the most critical part of the hiring process. If you feel judged, it may be time to make a change.

A lawyer’s abilities, advocacy, and negotiations rely heavily on a mastery of the facts surrounding a client’s case. If we do not know everything, including the bad facts, we cannot fully do our job. This rings true in criminal, divorce, custody, or personal injury law. When in doubt, tell the truth—and the whole truth!