These summaries were prepared by McGuireWoods LLP lawyer Thomas E. Spahn. They are based on the letter opinions issued by the Virginia State Bar. Any editorial comments reflect Mr. Spahn's current personal views, and not the opinions of the Virginia State Bar, McGuireWoods or its clients. 
 
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17-Fraud on the Tribunal

31-Protecting and Disclosing Confidences and Secrets

48-Criminal Defense Lawyers

A court appointed lawyer represents a criminal defendant, against whom two offenses have been docketed for trial on the same date and time. The court arraigns only on one charge, and the court does not address the second charge. Even if the client had been in pretrial confinement because of the overlooked second criminal charge, the lawyer had a duty not to reveal the court's failure to address the second charge. Determining whether the lawyer must fill out a form (a standard "timesheet") that might reveal the court's mistake is a question of law beyond the Bar's jurisdiction, but the lawyer may not "enhance" the timesheet to present a misleading impression.

Copyright 2000, Thomas E. Spahn