Preemptive lawyer?

What is everyone's thoughts/experiences with pre-emptively talking to a lawyer? Thinking of finding a lawyer experienced in the right field to get a rundown of how events would fold out in certain situations eg. Controlled delivery. I'm assuming client confidentiality would allow one to reveal illegal activities to a lawyer so they can tell you how situations will most likely play out in court? Situations where you need to contact a lawyer are most likely going to be some stressful shit. It seems having a card or just knowing who your first call is would be a good idea?


Comments


[11 Points] treez3:

You should google something called the crime fraud exception. Basically there is no attorney client privilege if the basis for the relationship is in furtherance of criminal activity. Moreover, attorneys are officers of the court so if they believe you are going to engage in criminal activity based on their advice they are duty bound to report said criminal activity. If they don't and it comes to light that they gave you advice with which you used to commit a crime they could lose their license to practice law. Now in practice could you find a shady lawyer to do what you ask? Yes, but why get an attorney involved when you can findout everything you need to know by doing research? Not only are you going to have to pay to speak with the attorney initially, but most of the attorneys that would be willing to talk to you about this subject would want a retainer. If you still think this is a good idea, it's not, look for an attorney that handles a lot of criminal defense specializing in drug related offenses.


[9 Points] None:

It is a good idea but remember a lawyer can't tell you how to break the law. A lawyer can tell you how to stay within the law. There are no Saul Goodmans out there. If you word things correctly though you can get a lot of good information from a drug-related attorney. Again, remember that they can't help you figure out how to break the law and get away with it. That is illegal. They can only advise you on how to stay within the law if at all possible.


[6 Points] None:

I've ran into SO many lawyers that were formerly prosecutors. Be careful, some of these lawyers are so full of themselves and will rat you out to make the world a better a place, in their mind.


[5 Points] None:

A lot of misconceptions about lawyers here...

First, a lawyer CAN NOT RAT YOU OUT. That's a sure way to be disbarred and sanctioned. Who is telling you people they can do this?? Don't they teach civics in high school in the US? They don't "make deals" beyond making one to help you, and that deal will NOT involve another client of theirs going under a bus, period, ever, even if they're sleeping with the DA and judge in threesomes every night of the week. They can not do "I'll give you this guy if you let this other one go." They can ask you to flip on someone or cooperate for your own defense, but they can't back stab you.

No. Just no. Not even the dirtiest one in the stupidest small town ever so don't claim that happened to your brother.

They also can't help you continue to commit crimes. They can tell you what to do to mitigate your own damages but they can not tell you to hide or destroy or create evidence.

But you should have an attorney name at least on hand anyhow. If you're arrested or even confronted, give them the attorney's number and say to speak to them. You should also only speak to your attorney. If you're in the USA, you don't have to talk to the police (beyond identifying yourself and even that has a few exceptions.)(Don't test those exceptions.)

Defense lawyers fight to keep your rights protected when you've been arrested. They're experts on knowing what police may do during searches and investigations and will get evidence removed if found to be illegally obtained. They can't and won't manufacture alternate stories, and they can't lie to or for you.

(And if anyone comes in this thread and insults public defenders I will grow - set testicles just so I can blow one. My dad spent his entire career as one and you'll never meet a human who fought harder for his clients. Two of my brothers followed his shoes, too. Just don't start.)


[2 Points] throwguy7:

Better call Saul!


[1 Points] None:

As long as it's the lawyer from Futurama


[1 Points] SteveLurkell:

Lawyers make deals with LE and prosecutors all the time, so dont be surprised if you find yourself sacrificed.


[1 Points] None:

The only time I'll be talking to a lawyer is if the police come knocking at my door.


[1 Points] ciphersexual:

I believe the received wisdom is that you don't have to go this far - preemptively talking. What you should do is look up a lawyer in your area who specializes in these types of cases and memorize their phone number.

Then in the hypothetical CD scenario you can say that you wont talk to law enforcement until you've conferred with your lawyer. Then call that number, which you've memorized since your phone may be confiscated. AFAIK such a lawyer will take you as a client in such a scenario. Experts correct me if I'm wrong please.


[1 Points] None:

You don't think a former prosecutor that turned lawyer in a small town would have a problem tipping the local prosecutor since they are already best friends and go fishing together and their sons are boy scouts and they both are scout leaders?

I can see some scrum bag lawyer telling his prosecutor and cops friends my personal information. That's why you have to choose lawyers carefully, but living in a small town and not having ANY kind of knowledge about this stuff will land your a dirty shit head lawyer.

Yes it happened to me.