DEFENSE FUNCTION

In February 1991, the ABA House of Delegates approved these “black letter” standards that have been published with commentary in ABA Standards for Criminal Justice: Prosecution and Defense Function, 3d ed., ©1993 American Bar Association. For the text of the publication, click here, and then go to page 117 for the beginning of the Defense Function portion of the volume. To go directly to individual “black letter” standards (without commentary), click on the links below. For information about purchasing the printed volume, please see Standards Ordering Information.

PART I. GENERAL STANDARDS

Standard 4-1.1      The Function of the Standards
Standard 4-1.2      The Function of Defense Counsel
Standard 4-1.3      Delays; Punctuality; Workload
Standard 4-1.4      Public Statements
Standard 4-1.5      Advisory Councils on Professional Conduct
Standard 4-1.6      Trial Lawyer's Duty to Administration of Justice

PART II. ACCESS TO COUNSEL

Standard 4-2.1      Communication
Standard 4-2.2      Referral Service for Criminal Cases
Standard 4-2.3      Prohibited Referrals

PART III. LAWYER-CLIENT RELATIONSHIP

Standard 4-3.1      Establishment of Relationship
Standard 4-3.2      Interviewing the Client
Standard 4-3.3      Fees
Standard 4-3.4      Obtaining Literary or Media Rights from the Accused
Standard 4-3.5      Conflicts of Interest
Standard 4-3.6      Prompt Action to Protect the Accused
Standard 4-3.7      Advice and Service on Anticipated Unlawful Conduct
Standard 4-3.8      Duty to Keep Client Informed
Standard 4-3.9      Obligations of Hybrid and Standby Counsel

PART IV. INVESTIGATION AND PREPARATION

Standard 4-4.1      Duty to Investigate
Standard 4-4.2      Illegal Investigation
Standard 4-4.3      Relations With Prospective Witnesses
Standard 4-4.4      Relations With Expert Witnesses
Standard 4-4.5      Compliance With Discovery Procedure
Standard 4-4.6      Physical Evidence

PART V. CONTROL AND DIRECTION OF LITIGATION

Standard 4-5.1      Advising the Accused
Standard 4-5.2      Control and Direction of the Case

PART VI. DISPOSITION WITHOUT TRIAL

Standard 4-6.1      Duty to Explore Disposition Without Trial
Standard 4-6.2      Plea Discussions

PART VII. TRIAL

Standard 4-7.1      Courtroom Professionalism
Standard 4-7.2      Selection of Jurors
Standard 4-7.3      Relations With Jury
Standard 4-7.4      Opening Statement
Standard 4-7.5      Presentation of Evidence
Standard 4-7.6      Examination of Witnesses
Standard 4-7.7      Argument to the Jury
Standard 4-7.8      Facts Outside the Record
Standard 4-7.9      Posttrial Motions

PART VIII. AFTER CONVICTION

Standard 4-8.1      Sentencing
Standard 4-8.2      Appeal
Standard 4-8.3      Counsel on Appeal
Standard 4-8.4      Conduct of Appeal
Standard 4-8.5      Post-conviction Remedies
Standard 4-8.6      Challenges to the Effectiveness of Counsel

Return to listing of Criminal Justice Standards

Criminal Justice Standards Committee

For more information concerning the Criminal Justice Standards, please contact Susan Hillenbrand, Standards Project Director either through e-mail, or telephone at (202) 662-1503.

CONTACT THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SECTION