LEO: Agreement Not to Plea Bargain as  LE Op. 472

 

Agreement Not to Plea Bargain as Condition of Employment.

 

September 20, 1982

 

It is improper for an attorney to accept employment in a criminal case,

if, as a condition of employment, he requires an irrevocable agreement

from his client not to seek favorable treatment for his client in exchange

for his client's testimony or plea of guilty. Under all circumstances, a

lawyer who accepts employment must advise his client of offers made by the

Government and the benefit of seeking favorable treatment in exchange for

his testimony.

 

Committee Opinion September 20, 1982