Informal Opinion Number: 20010045
Rules: 4 dash–1.7
Client-Lawyer Relationship
Conflict of Interest: Current Clients
Subject: Conflict of Interest - Current Client; Government Lawyers
Summary: municipal judge representing criminal defendants in other courts in same locality as municipality
QUESTION: May Attorney, who is also a part time municipal judge, represent persons charged in other courts with crimes that are alleged to have occurred inside the municipal boundaries?
ANSWER: No, if there is any possibility that the person could be charged with a municipal offense based on the same conduct.
Informal Opinions are ethics advisory opinions issued by the Office of Legal Ethics Counsel to members of the Bar about Rule 4 (Rules of Professional Conduct), Rule 5 (Complaints and Proceedings Thereon), and Rule 6 (Fees to Practice Law) pursuant to Missouri Supreme Court Rule 5.30(c). Written summaries of select Informal Opinions are published for informational purposes as determined by the Advisory Committee of the Supreme Court of Missouri pursuant to Rule 5.30(c). Informal opinion summaries are advisory in nature and are not binding. These opinions are published as an educational service and do not constitute legal advice.
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