Legal & Judicial Ethics, 2014 Bar — Question 4

ESSAY

A is accused of robbery in a complaint filed by B. A sought free legal assistance from the Public Attorney's Office (PAO) and Atty. C was assigned to handle his case. After reviewing the facts as stated in the complaint and as narrated by A, Atty. C is convinced that A is guilty. a. May Atty. C. refuse to handle the defense of A and ask to be relieved? Explain. Fully. b. In problem (A), if the lawyer is counsel de parte for the accused and he learns later after accepting the case and while trial is ongoing that his client was indeed the perpetrator of the crime, may the lawyer withdraw his appearance from the case? Why or why not?

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