Are lawyers legally mandated to turn in a client who has an outstanding warrant?
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Are lawyers legally mandated to turn in a client who has an outstanding warrant?
Asked on July 14, 2015 under Criminal Law, Illinois
Answers:
SJZ, Member, New York Bar / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney
Answered 8 years ago | Contributor
As a general matter, no--no one, lawyers or not, has to actively turn in someone with an outstanding warrant. But there are two limitations:
1) The lawyer *cannot* in any way help the client with the warrant avoid the authorities or resist arrest; he also can't provide a place to stay.
2) If the lawyer has reasonable grounds to believe that the client will commit a new crime which may involve the threat of injury to others, he must turn him in.
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