Apr 1, 2022
As former US District Judge, Leonard Davis, stated in his book, Anatomy of Cross-Examination, “A trial … is a reconstruction of the past about which two sides differ dramatically.” But what happens when one side is a lie? Although an attorney’s job is to protect their client, it is also their responsibility to ensure that witnesses called to testify is not influenced to give false testimony under oath.
On this week’s installment, Rebecca and Steve Alsip discuss the ramifications of lying in court. According to the ethical rules both state and federal, attorneys have a responsibility to prevent false testimony, sometimes even requiring that attorney-client privilege be breached. Witnesses should not take their oath to tell the truth lightly, either. There are many severe repercussions to perjury and suborning perjury. Listen in to learn what to do when someone in your case is lying, and avoid becoming an April Fool the next time you’re in court.