Dishonesty in The Legal Profession: Why It’s Wrong



Dishonesty in The Legal Profession: Why It’s WrongAmy L. GreenBryant & Stratton CollegeDishonesty in The Legal Profession: Why It’s WrongDishonesty in the legal field happens every day. In some instances, it is believed to be used for good intent, sometimes for reasons that are not so good. My research paper will show why dishonesty is not only unethical, it is wrong and should not be done whatsoever in the legal profession.Dishonesty in the legal profession is morally and ethically wrong. It was best said “it poses a unique threat to the legitimacy of the system by signifying that truth is not paramount in the courtroom.” (Simon-Kerr, 2015) Courts of law and the legal system were created to bring forth truth and justice. If dishonesty is allowed to go without penalty, it is believed to be acceptable and supported in society. People in the legal profession are looked up to by laymen and commoners as pillars of the community. If society observes trickery, deceit and lies by those in the legal profession they are quick to assume that dishonesty is correct and acceptable.It is said that systematic lying happens quite often in the legal profession and for many different reasons. In early times lying was done most often because there were such heavy penalties for minor infractions. Grand larceny once was punished by death, and many legal professionals thought this to be unfair and unusually cruel, so they would resort to dishonesty to receive a lower sentence for their clients. (Simon-Kerr, 2015) Another common use of lying is used in divorce proceedings. The burden of proof is high, and many people in an effort to dissolve the marriage easier, persons have resorted to dishonesty, even if it causes embarrassment. (Simon-Kerr, 2015) Lawyers and legal professionals receive money to help clients. The need for more money and power has cheapened the normal man’s values to do what is morally and ethically right. Lies can sometimes be spoken because of prejudice against someone, to remove oneself from accepting accountability, or even to inflict pain towards another or wrongly accuse. There have been many times where a president has lied which had sent our country into war, an example is when President Bush lied about the reasons he sent the United States to invade Iraq. (Norton, 2015) This act of dishonesty cost many their lives.If dishonesty is discovered in the legal profession, the person accountable can lose their job, earned a bad reputation in their work history, they could even be barred from practice. (NYSBA) If a person is harmed due to the lies of an attorney, they could even sue the lawyer and the firm. Lawyers and those in the legal profession should be honest because people rely on them to bring justice against the wrongful acts society commits. If the legal system and government aren’t truthful, who can we really trust?In conclusion, being honest is not only morally and ethically right, there is also a lot at risk when deceitfulness is used. Dishonesty can cost respect, time, money, dignity, career, and in some cases, life. The win created by the use of falseness or lies, clearly is not worth the consequences. ReferencesNew York Rules of Professional Conduct. (2015, March 28). Retrieved from New York State Bar Association website: , H. (2015). The Government's Lies and the Constitution. Indiana Law Journal, 91(1), p73-120. Retrieved from , J. (2015, June 1). Systematic Lying. William & Mary Law Review, 56, p2175. Retrieved from ................
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