Ethics Opinions

Editor's Note: This opinion was originally published as RPC 61 (Revised).

 

Defense Counsel's Right to Interview Minor Prosecuting Witness

 

Opinion rules that a defense attorney may interview a child who is the prosecuting witness in a molestation case without the knowledge or consent of the district attorney.

 

Inquiry:

 

Vi, a seven-year-old child, is carried by her mother, Eve, to the Duke Pediatric Unit, where physical evidence of sexual abuse is diagnosed, and where Vi reports to the physician that her stepfather, Mo, is the perpetrator. Mo is arrested for felonious sex crimes against his young stepdaughter, Vi. Attorney X is appointed or retained to represent Mo. Eve, mother of Vi, expresses that she sympathizes with her husband, Mo, now in jail, and refuses to believe Vi's accusations. Eve brings Vi to Attorney X's office. May Attorney X interview Vi and obtain a statement without the knowledge or consent of the district attorney?

 

Opinion:

 

Yes. Rule 7.4(a) of the Rules of Professional Conduct only prohibits communication with a person known to be represented by counsel in regard to the matter in question. The prosecuting witness in a criminal case is not represented, for the purposes of the rule, by the district attorney. For that reason, the lawyer for the defendant need not obtain the consent of the district attorney to interview the prosecuting witness. Nor may the district attorney instruct the witness not to communicate with the defense lawyer. Rule 7.9(d). However, it would be unethical under Rule 7.4(a) for any attorney to question or interview Vi without first ascertaining whether a guardian ad litem or attorney had been appointed for Vi and, if so, without obtaining the consent of the guardian ad litem or attorney. The defense attorney must be careful to ensure that the prosecuting witness is not intimidated or induced to believe the attorney is disinterested or representing the interests of the witness. Rule 7.4(c). Reasonable efforts must be made immediately to correct any such misunderstanding if such becomes apparent. This is particularly important when the prosecuting witness is a child.