Legal Question in Legal Ethics in Texas

I am a Sr Captain with a major Fire Dept. I am being ordered to sign a form each day I work stating that the vials of the drug valium carried on our Medic Unit, are untampered with. I do not feel I should have to sign because I cannot be absolutely certain of the vials contents, nor can I be certain that the vials have not been altered or tampered with in any way. Does the Dept have the right to force me to sign the form?


Asked on 11/11/10, 5:02 am

1 Answer from Attorneys
Ken Gober (Austin TX) Lee, Gober & Reyna

I am an Austin Lawyer.

Your job cannot force you to lie. I suspect that there is some type of liability/accountability reason the city feels that it needs these forms signed.

Perhaps your best option is to explain your inability to swear to statements in the forms and instead alter the language on the form to something you are comfortable with, perhaps something like "After visual inspection, it does not appear any of the vials of valium have been tampered with and there are a total of _______ vials." That way you are just stating what you see.

I am happy to help a public servant (pro bono) in approaching the powers that be and negotiating a resolution, so long as that can be done by phone (since I am in Austin).

Feel free to call me: 512-827-7548.

Good Luck!

Read more
Answered on 11/16/10, 7:12 am


Related Questions & Answers

More Legal Ethics & Professional Responsibility questions and answers in Texas