La Habra, CA asked in Criminal Law for California

Q: When you hire a lawyer for a case and you unfortunately catch another case do you have to tell your lawyer about it

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3 Lawyer Answers
Louis George Fazzi
Louis George Fazzi
Answered
  • Jess Ranch, CA
  • Licensed in California

A: You owe your attorney the obligation of being truthful with him/her in all matters, particularly those which might impact the earlier charges. I guarantee you that the DA in the first case will embarrass you with the second case unless your attorney is prepared for it, and it won't be funny. The last thing you want to do is withhold information from your lawyer particularly when it could be damaging to you if the first case goes to trial. Be open and honest with your lawyer at all times.

John Karas
John Karas
Answered
  • Criminal Law Lawyer
  • Temecula, CA
  • Licensed in California

A: No, but why wouldn't you want to do so? If the 2nd case is venued in the same county, same courthouse and it's another criminal case, your attorney may be able to successfully resolve that case in its entirety thru a plea disposition that covers both cases either by dismissal of 1 of the cases or, if jail time is a distinct probability, the negotiated plea bargain can provide that the sentences run concurrent (served at the same time) as opposed to consecutive (back-to-back).

Dale S. Gribow
Dale S. Gribow
Answered
  • Criminal Law Lawyer
  • Palm Desert, CA
  • Licensed in California

A: you would be a fool not to tell your lawyer.

that is the one person that needs to know.

you do not want him surprised in trial with another case against you.

s/he loses all leverage and may change strategy

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