LOS ANGELES � An appeals court ruling that makes it OK for criminal defense attorneys to inform police about their clients' wrongdoing has angered some attorneys, who say the decision dangerously weakens attorney-client privilege.
The 2nd District Court of Appeal ruled Monday in favor of an attorney who made anonymous calls to police implicating her former clients in an alleged car theft ring. The appellate panel found that, in doing so, the attorney didn't violate her clients' constitutional rights.
Angelyn Gates, who represented the alleged car thieves, said she plans to petition the state Supreme Court to review the appeals court ruling. "It has completely destroyed attorney-client privilege," said Gates, who works for Criminal Defense Associates. "If an attorney goes in to talk to a client in jail and the client asks the attorney, 'If I tell you this information, am I protected?' the lawyer ethically under this decision must be bound to tell him no," she said.
Details here from SignOnSanDiego.com. The court's opinion is here.