Legal Question in Criminal Law in Wisconsin

Felony Defense Attorney Answering Questions of Family

Although criminal defense attorneys can sometimes seem gruff and uncaring, there are sometimes very good reasons for not casually discussing cases with friends or relatives of their clients. Attorneys must maintain confidentiality as to all client matters unless the client gives them permission to discuss them with the family. They therefore really have no choice in the matter if the client does not allow such discussions. Additionally, matters discussed with third parties are not subject to attorney client privilege and the family members can therefore sometimes be subpoenaed by law enforcement to testify against their loved ones as to what they know or have been told about the crime. Finally, publically employed criminal attorneys such as public defenders are extremely busy and sometimes handle hundreds of cases at the same time. They therefore simply do not have time to answer everyone's questions. If a client is unhappy with an attorney, he or she also has the option of replacing him or her with a different attorney. The WI Public Defender's Office generally allow this once per case. After that, the clients need to pay on their own in order to get a new attorney. Private paying clients are under no such restrictions and can replace attorneys at any time, provided that the judge grants permission. Good luck and feel free to call for a confidential "second opinion," on issues in criminal cases. Many private attorneys will provide them to a limited extent for minimal charges.