People v. Casey
Colorado Supreme Court
948 P.2d 1014 (1997)
Relevant factsFree
Attorney Casey (defendant) knew his client, minor S.R., had given a friend's name to police after being cited for underage drinking and trespass, but rather than disclosing this fraud on the court, Casey affirmatively misrepresented to the city attorney and court that he represented the friend, appeared at a hearing under that false pretense, and secured dismissal of the charges under the friend's name, ultimately harming the actual friend's record; a disciplinary hearing board recommended a 45-day suspension, and Casey appealed.
IssueFree
Whether, in practice before a tribunal, attorneys have a duty to be truthful with the court even if doing so requires disclosing otherwise confidential client information.