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In Law / College | 2025-07-08

A defense attorney that knew of the location of the murder weapon that his client used is required to turn that weapon in as part of discovery. True False

Asked by lyndseyfrank7601

Answer (1)

In the context of legal proceedings, the role of a defense attorney is to represent and defend the interests of their client. However, they are also bound by certain legal and ethical obligations.
When it comes to the discovery phase of a trial, both the defense and prosecution are required to share certain evidence with one another to ensure a fair trial. This process is known as 'discovery.'
The question of whether a defense attorney must turn over a murder weapon if they know its location depends on the jurisdiction's rules regarding discovery and ethical guidelines. In most jurisdictions, if the weapon is considered material evidence, it may need to be disclosed as part of discovery. Additionally, attorneys have ethical obligations to avoid assisting their clients in hiding or destroying evidence.
While an attorney typically cannot be required to testify against their client due to attorney-client privilege, they cannot help their client in obstructing justice. Therefore, the defense attorney may be required to disclose the location of a murder weapon if it is considered evidence crucial to the case.
Ultimately, the rules can vary based on local laws and the specific circumstances of the case, so it is important for attorneys to act according to the legal and ethical standards applicable to their situation. Thus, the statement is generally 'True' regarding the obligation to turn over such evidence in discovery.

Answered by ElijahBenjaminCarter | 2025-07-22