Imagine that you are a paralegal at the law firm of Lodge and Humphries. For eac
ID: 397996 • Letter: I
Question
Imagine that you are a paralegal at the law firm of Lodge and Humphries. For each situation, note in your learning log whether or not the behavior is ethical. Explain each answer. Situation A: Client Murrow is being tried for fraud. He is also the defendant in a civil suit arising from a property dispute. You have handled research on Murrow's behalf in both cases. The plaintiff in the civil suit seeks to question you in court regarding information Murrow provided you about the property. Can you be compelled to testify?
Explanation / Answer
I cannot be compelled to testify against Mr. Murrow. It is unethical.
This is only possible under the doctrine of crime-fraud exception only if the government can show that Mr. Murrow's act was intentionally to engage in a current or future crime or fraud.