C. Restrictions On Advocacy In Court Proceedings, Cal. Prac. Guide Prof. Resp. Ch.

8-C

Cal. Prac. Guide Prof. Resp. Ch. 8-C

California Practice Guide: Professional Responsibility
Paul W. Vapnek, Mark L. Tuft, Ellen R. Peck and Justice Howard B. Wiener (Ret.)
Chapter 8. Advocacy And Representation
C. Restrictions On Advocacy In Court Proceedings

2. [8:180] Prohibition on Presenting Perjured Testimony: Neither the State Bar Act nor the CRPC
specifically mentions use of perjured testimony. Rather, they simply state lawyers must employ such means
only as are consistent with truth. [Bus. & Prof.C. 6068(d); CRPC 5200(A) (emphasis added)]
a. [8:181] CompareABA Model Rules: A lawyer shall not knowingly ... offer evidence that the lawyer
knows to be false. [ABA Model Rule 3.3(a)(3)]
In addition, the ABA Model Rules require a lawyer who has offered false material evidence to take
reasonable remedial measures when he or she becomes aware of its falsity. [ABA Model Rule 3.3(a)(3)]
(1) [8:182] Knowing use: Both the ABA Model Code (DR 7102(A)(4)) and the ABA Model Rules
(3.3(a)(3)) preclude knowing use of perjury. Knowing means actual knowledge that the witness
intends to lie on the witness stand, although that knowledge may be inferred from the circumstances. [ABA
Model Rules, Terminology 5; see Orange County Bar Assn Form.Opn. 200301 (adopting actual
knowledge standard)]
b. [8:183] Duty to discourage prospective perjury: An attorney must attempt to dissuade the client from
committing perjury: (A)t a minimum the attorneys first duty when confronted with a proposal for perjurious
testimony is to attempt to dissuade the client from the unlawful course of conduct. [Nix v. Whiteside (1986)
475 US 157, 169, 106 S.Ct. 988, 995; People v. Johnson (1998) 62 CA4th 608, 621, 72 CR2d 805, 811
812The persuasion solution, when it succeeds, is the ideal solution since it involves neither the
presentation of perjured testimony nor disclosure of client confidences]
(1) [8:183.1] Applies equally to counsel in civil and criminal cases: The duty to discourage prospective
perjury applies to all lawyers: No lawyer, whether prosecutor or defense counsel, civil or criminal, may
knowingly present lies to a jury and then sit idly by while opposing counsel struggles to contain this
pollution of the trial. [United States v. LaPage (9th Cir. 2000) 231 F3d 488, 492criminal conviction
overturned where prosecutor failed to correct prosecutorial testimony known to be false; see also 8:193]
(2) [8:184] Successful persuasion not ineffective assistance: Successfully persuading a client not to
commit perjury in a criminal case does not constitute ineffective assistance of counsel. [Nix v. Whiteside,
supra, 475 US at 175176, 106 S.Ct. at 998999; People v. Johnson, supra, 62 CA4th at 621, 72 CR2d at
811812]
(3) [8:185] Compareprohibiting client from testifying: In criminal cases, refusing to permit a client to
testify where the client has voiced the intent to commit perjury can result in denial of a defendants
constitutional right to testify. [People v. Johnson, supra, 62 CA4th at 626, 72 CR2d at 815]
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C. Restrictions On Advocacy In Court Proceedings, Cal. Prac. Guide Prof. Resp. Ch. 8-C

And, precluding a criminal defendants testimony essentially substitutes defense counsel for the jury as
the judge of witness credibility; it puts the determination of whether the defendant is telling the truth or a
lie into the hands of defense counsel. [People v. Johnson, supra, 62 CA4th at 626, 72 CR2d at 815; but see
People v. Jennings (1999) 70 CA4th 899, 907909, 83 CR2d 33, 3739defense counsels limited direct
examination of defendant based on fear of perjury does not constitute ineffective assistance]
c. [8:186] Options where client persists in testifying falsely: If the lawyer is unsuccessful in persuading a
client not to commit perjury, the following options should be considered:
(1) [8:187] Withdrawal from representation: One case holds that withdrawal is mandatory where the
client persists in testifying falsely. [People v. Brown (1988) 203 CA3d 1335, 1340, 250 CR 762, 764, fn.
1If the client remains adamant, the attorney must make a motion to withdraw so as to not give implied
consent to the use of perjurious testimony (emphasis added); see also Cal. State Bar Form.Opn. 198374]
Brown, supra, reasons that withdrawal is consistent with the requirements of the State Bar Act and CRPC.
[People v. Brown, supra, 203 CA3d at 1339, 250 CR at 764; see also Bus. & Prof.C. 6128(a) (criminal
liability for deceit, collusion, delay of suit) & 6068(d) (duty to employ means consistent with truth); CRPC
3700(B) (1)withdrawal mandatory where attorney knows or should know that the client is ... asserting
a position in litigation without probable cause ... ; CRPC 5200(B) (prohibition on misleading judge by
artifice or false statement)]
Cross-refer: Attorney withdrawal is discussed in detail at 10:20 ff.
(a) [8:187.1] Problematic application in criminal cases? Mandatory withdrawal has been criticized in
criminal cases because (t)hat approach could trigger an endless cycle of defense continuances and
motions to withdraw as the accused informs each new attorney of the intent to testify falsely. Or the
accused may be less candid with his new attorney by keeping his perjurious intent to himself, thereby
facilitating the presentation of false testimony.
Lastly, there is the unfortunate possibility that the accused may find an unethical attorney who would
knowingly present and argue the false testimony. Thus, defense counsels withdrawal from the case
would not really solve the problem created by the anticipated perjury but, in fact, could create even more
problems. [People v. Gadson (1993) 19 CA4th 1700, 1710, 24 CR2d 219, 224, fn. 5; People v. Johnson
(1998) 62 CA4th 608, 623, 72 CR2d 805, 813]
(b) [8:188] Where withdrawal motion denied: Where a withdrawal motion is denied, the attorneys
options depend on the type of case involved:
1) [8:188.1] Criminal cases: Because a criminal defendant has a constitutional right to testify (even
over defense counsels objection), counsel may be required to call the defendant as a witness knowing
he or she intends to give false testimony. In those cases, counsel is limited to allowing the defendant to
testify in a narrative manner; i.e., counsel may not elicit the testimony, or rely on it in closing
argument. [People v. Gadson, supra, 19 CA4th at 17101711, 24 CR2d at 224225]
This is now the most favored option for dealing with anticipated client perjury in criminal cases. See
8:189 ff.
2) [8:188.2] Civil cases: Unlike criminal defendants, civil clients have no constitutional right to
testify. And, as captain of the ship, the attorney controls which witnesses to call and evidence to
present. However, the client may be called to testify as an adverse witness. [Ev.C. 776 (examination
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C. Restrictions On Advocacy In Court Proceedings, Cal. Prac. Guide Prof. Resp. Ch. 8-C

of adverse party or witness)]

In such cases, the attorney may not rely on or refer to the perjured testimony, but must conduct the
balance of the trial as if such testimony had been stricken from the record. [Cal. State Bar Form.Opn.
198374]
(2) [8:189] Permitting client to testify in narrative manner: The emerging view supports the narrative
approach where the attorney calls the (client) to the witness stand but does not engage in the usual
question and answer exchange.
Instead, the attorney permits the (client) to testify in a free narrative manner. In closing arguments, the
attorney does not rely on any of the (clients) false testimony. [People v. Johnson (1998) 62 CA4th 608,
624, 72 CR2d 805, 811813 (parentheses added); see Orange County Bar Assn Form.Opn. 200301]
(a) [8:189.1] Favored approach in criminal cases: The narrative approach is now favored in criminal
cases:
Of the various approaches, we believe the narrative approach represents the best accommodation of the
competing interests of the defendants right to testify and the attorneys obligation not to participate in
the presentation of perjured testimony ... [People v. Johnson, supra, 62 CA4th at 629, 72 CR2d at 817;
People v. Gadson (1993) 19 CA4th 1700, 1711, 24 CR2d 219, 225narrative approach properly
reconciled the competing interests ... in this situation; see also People v. Guzman (1988) 45 C3d 915,
944945, 248 CR 467, 483484 (overruled on other grounds in Price v. Sup.Ct. (People) (2001) 25 C4th
1046, 1069, 108 CR2d 409, 426 & fn. 13)use of narrative testimony not prohibited by U.S. Supreme
Court or CRPC]
1) [8:189.2] Not ineffective assistance: Use of the narrative approach in criminal cases does not
constitute ineffective assistance of counsel. [United States v. Omene (9th Cir. 1998) 143 F3d 1167,
11711172; People v. Guzman, supra, 45 C3d at 941946, 248 CR at 481485; People v. Gadson,
supra, 19 CA4th at 17101711, 24 CR2d at 224225]
Cross-refer: Ineffective assistance of counsel claims are discussed at 6:700 ff.
=> [8:189.3] PRACTICE POINTER: Although permitting a defendant to testify in narrative fashion is
the favored approach, there are considerations that should clearly be explained before the client makes
the decision to testify:
In a criminal case, the client has the constitutional right not to testify and no adverse inferences can
be drawn from exercising that right;
The clients testimony will be subject to the rules of evidence and he or she may be ill-equipped to
handle opposing counsel objections;
If the client has any prior felonies bearing on his or her credibility, they may be used against him or
her for impeachment; and
As the clients attorney, you have an ethical obligation not to argue to the jury anything in the
clients testimony you believe to be untrue.
[8:190] Reserved.

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C. Restrictions On Advocacy In Court Proceedings, Cal. Prac. Guide Prof. Resp. Ch. 8-C

d. [8:191] Duty to correct past perjury? An attorney should counsel the client to rectify past perjury.
If unsuccessful, the attorney should withdraw from the case (without disclosing the reasons for withdrawal;
see 10:100 ff.). [Los Angeles Bar Assn Form.Opn. 305 (1968); compare ABA Model Rule 3.3(a)(3) and
Comments (5)-(11)lawyer who discovers falsity of material evidence offered by client or witness called by
lawyer must take reasonable remedial measures including, if necessary, disclosure to the tribunal; and New
Hampshire Bar Assn Ethics Comm. Opn. 200809/3lawyer who learns of clients false material testimony
has ethical duty to disclose the falsity to the tribunal if client is unwilling to do so]
[8:191.1] During a civil nonjury trial, Attorney discovers Client has given perjurious testimony. Attorney
concludes disclosing the testimony would likely result in a decision against Client. Attorney further
assumes that withdrawal would result in an adverse decision.
If Attorney has actual knowledge of Clients perjury, Attorney is required to take steps to ensure he or she
does not give implicit consent to the deception. First, Attorney should permit Client to provide Attorney
with an explanation of the testimonywhich may change Attorneys opinion and solve the problem.
If Attorneys opinion is unchanged, Attorney must explain to Client that unless the perjured testimony is
corrected or removed from the record, Attorney will be required to withdraw from representation.
Attorney must also explain the ramifications of attempting to rectify perjured testimony. For example, if
Client retakes the stand and testifies contrary to earlier testimony, Client is subject to criminal prosecution
for perjury (Pen.C. 118, 123).
As an alternative, Attorney may seek a stipulation from opposing counsel (without explanation) striking the
testimony. Attorney could also move that the testimony be stricken, stating whatever grounds exist without
disclosing the perjurious nature of the testimony without Clients consent.
If these alternatives fail, Attorney is required to seek permission to withdraw from representation without
disclosing the perjurious testimony. [Cal. State Bar Form.Opn. 198374]
(1) [8:192] Compareperjury by former client: An attorney is not obligated to persuade a former client
to rectify past perjury; nor may he or she disclose it to the clients current counsel, the court, opposing
counsel or the State Bar. [Los Angeles Bar Assn Form.Opn. 386 (1980)]
(2) [8:193] Comparecriminal prosecutors affirmative duty to correct perjury: See discussion at
8:632.2.
=> [8:193.1] PRACTICE POINTERS: An attorney who discovers his or her client has testified falsely
should advise the client of the penalties for perjury. [New Hampshire Bar Assn Ethics Comm. Opn. 2008
09/3]
Also, the attorney should put in writing his or her advice to the client to remedy the perjury in view of the
potential for a falling out between the attorney and client. [New Hampshire Bar Assn Ethics Comm.
Opn. 200809/3]
e. [8:194] Attorney liability for presenting false testimony: The attorney is the captain of the ship with
regard to presentation of evidence (at least in civil proceedings) and risks liability accordingly.
(1) [8:195] Criminal offense: It is a crime (subornation of perjury) to willfully procure another person to
commit perjury. [Pen.C. 127 (emphasis added)]
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C. Restrictions On Advocacy In Court Proceedings, Cal. Prac. Guide Prof. Resp. Ch. 8-C

Comment: This is a specific intent crime and would apply only where the attorney is the instigator of the
perjured testimony.
(2) [8:196] Contempt: An attorney who attempts to or does mislead the court is guilty of direct contempt:
The presentation to a court of a statement of fact known to be false presumes an intent to secure a
determination based upon it ... [Vaughn v. Mun.Ct. (1967) 252 CA2d 348, 358, 60 CR 575, 581; Vickers
v. State Bar (1948) 32 C2d 247, 253, 196 P2d 10, 1314The conduct denounced ... is not the act of an
attorney by which he successfully misleads the court, but the presentation of a statement of fact, known by
him to be false, which tends to do so]
Cross-refer: Contempt is discussed at 8:566 ff.
(3) [8:197] Discipline: Misleading the court is an act of moral turpitude and cause for discipline. [Bus. &
Prof.C. 6106attorneys acts of moral turpitude are cause for discipline; In re Jones (1971) 5 C3d 390,
400401, 96 CR 448, 454455convictions for subornation of perjury and offering false evidence; Worth
v. State Bar (1978) 22 C3d 707, 711, 150 CR 273, 275276attorney disbarred for falsifying evidence in
State Bar disciplinary proceeding]
[8:198209] Reserved.
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