You are an attorney, and the local court has appointed you to represent a defendant who has been charged with aggravated assault and battery. The prosecutor originally intended to charge attempted murder. The victim suffered serious injury, and the police suspected that a weapon of some type was used, but never was able to find one. The defendant has maintained that there was no weapon. Your client tells you that he has a friend that you can call as a witness. Even though this friend was not actually present at the incident, he is willing to claim that he saw the altercation and will testify that the defendant acted in self-defense, and without a weapon. You refuse to call a witness that you know will not tell the truth. This action would indicate your view that you are serving as your client's:

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Refusing to call a witness you know will lie indicates you are acting as your client's moral agent, prioritizing ethical standards and the integrity of the legal process over the client's directive to use dishonest means to achieve a legal advantage.

You Are an Attorney, and the Local Court Has Appointed