?lawyer keep secrets of criminal activity

[jsw26232]

illinois, If I hire a lawyer to protect my interests and confide in that lawyer of family member's criminal activity, is that lawyer bound to report it to the authorities?

 

[stephenk]

whatever you tell an attorney in confidence, he is duty bound not to reveal that information unless you give him permission.

 

[Illinois Parent]

I have a question that may or may not apply. I hope Stephen or someone else can answer this...

I understand that with the changes in laws since 9/11/01, there are a host of Federal offenses that release the attorney from that part of the attorney/client privilege pact. My understanding is that almost anything that can be charged under 'Issues of National Security' would qualify.

If this is correct, than I guess the answer would be "as long as the family member's criminal activity is not a potential issue of national security"?

 

[stephenk]

My understanding of the new federal legislation is that it does not prevent government eavesdropping on attorney conversations with their clients when the clients are in jail.