Riddle & Riddle Injury Lawyers | October 9, 2025 | Personal Injury
Attorney-client privilege is one of the most important rules in the legal system. It protects private conversations between you and your lawyer. This rule helps you speak openly without fear of your words being used against you later. If you’re involved in a legal dispute in Durham, North Carolina, understanding attorney-client privilege can help you protect your rights and make better decisions during your case.
What Is Attorney-Client Privilege?
Attorney-client privilege means that anything you tell your lawyer in private about your case must be kept secret.
This includes:
- Written communications like texts or emails
- Verbal conversations about your legal situation
- Notes or records created by the lawyer based on your information
As long as the conversation is about legal advice and is meant to be confidential, it is considered privileged. This protection allows you to tell your lawyer the full truth. Your lawyer can’t share these details, even if asked by the other side or in court.
When Attorney-Client Privilege Applies
Not all interactions with a lawyer are protected.
For attorney-client privilege to apply, three conditions must be met:
- You are speaking to a licensed lawyer: Casual conversations with someone who happens to be a lawyer may not be protected if you’re not asking for legal advice.
- The communication is private and confidential: If someone else is in the room or copied on an email, the privilege may not apply.
- The purpose of the communication is legal advice: If you speak to a lawyer as a friend or about something unrelated to legal help, your speech may not be protected.
If these conditions are met, your lawyer must keep the information private.
Attorney-Client Privilege in Criminal vs. Civil Cases
Attorney-client privilege works in both criminal and civil cases. Whether you’re facing criminal charges or filing a personal injury lawsuit, you have the right to speak freely with your attorney.
In criminal cases, this privilege is especially important. It ensures that people accused of crimes can explain their side of the story and get full legal help without risking self-incrimination.
In civil cases, like lawsuits for car accidents or contract disputes, it still protects private communications about the case, strategy, and potential evidence.
Are There Exceptions to Attorney-Client Privilege?
Yes, attorney-client privilege has some exceptions.
In North Carolina, the most common exceptions include:
- The crime-fraud exception: If you ask your lawyer to help you commit or cover up a crime or fraud, that conversation is not protected.
- Waiving the privilege: If you talk about your communications with your lawyer in public or share them with others, you may lose the protection.
- Future harm: If your lawyer believes you may hurt someone, they may be allowed to break confidentiality to prevent serious injury or death.
These exceptions are narrow, but they can have a big impact on your case.
What’s the Difference Between Privilege and Confidentiality?
Attorney-client privilege and confidentiality are similar but not the same. Privilege is a legal rule that keeps your communications out of court. Confidentiality is an ethical rule that prevents a lawyer from sharing anything about your case, even things that may not be “privileged.”
For example, if someone tells a lawyer something unrelated to legal advice, it may not be protected by privilege, but it may still be kept confidential under professional rules.
When Does Privilege Start and End?
Attorney-client privilege begins as soon as you seek legal advice from a licensed lawyer, even if you don’t end up hiring them. This means the first call or email can be protected if it’s about your case.
Privilege usually ends when you share the protected information with others. For example, if you forward a legal email to a friend, you may accidentally give up that protection. Privilege also ends after the lawyer-client relationship is over, but any communications made during the relationship remain protected.
How Attorney-Client Privilege Affects Your Case
Attorney-client privilege affects your case in several ways:
- You can speak freely: This helps your lawyer give the best advice and build a strong case.
- The other side can’t use private conversations: Protected information can’t be demanded or introduced as evidence.
- You control the privilege: Only you can waive it, which gives you power over what is shared.
Understanding this rule helps you avoid mistakes that could hurt your case.
Tips to Protect Attorney-Client Privilege
You can help keep your communications protected by:
- Talking to your lawyer in private: Avoid public places or group chats.
- Not forwarding emails: Don’t share legal messages with anyone else.
- Labeling messages as confidential: Make it clear you are seeking legal advice.
- Using secure communication methods: Avoid sending sensitive information over public Wi-Fi or unsecured platforms.
Following these tips makes it more likely that your communications will stay protected.
Contact the Durham Personal Injury Attorneys at Riddle & Riddle Injury Lawyers for Help Today
Attorney-client privilege can make a big difference in your case. It gives you the freedom to share sensitive information without fear.
If you have questions about your legal situation in Durham, Riddle & Riddle Injury Lawyers is here to help. Our Durham personal injury lawyers can guide you through the process and protect your rights from the start. Contact us today for a free consultation.
For more information, contact Riddle & Riddle Injury Lawyers to schedule a free consultation with a personal injury lawyer in North Carolina today. We have twelve convenient locations in North Carolina, including Greenville, Raleigh, Goldsboro, Jacksonville, Kinston, Charlotte, Greensboro, Durham, Fayetteville, Wilmington, Winston-Salem & Garner.
Riddle & Riddle Injury Lawyers – Raleigh Office
4600 Marriott Dr STE 500, Raleigh, NC 27612
(919) 876-3020
Riddle & Riddle Injury Lawyers – Durham Office
100 E Parrish St STE 200, Durham, NC 27701
(919) 728-1770
Riddle & Riddle Injury Lawyers – Goldsboro Office
601 N Spence Ave, Goldsboro, NC 27534
(919) 778-9700
Riddle & Riddle Injury Lawyers – Charlotte Office
1914 J N Pease Pl Suite 142, Charlotte, NC 28262
(704) 486-5824
Riddle & Riddle Injury Lawyers – Greenville Office
300 E Arlington Blvd Suite 2A #110, Greenville, NC 27858
(252) 397-8620
Riddle & Riddle Injury Lawyers – Fayetteville Office
2517 Raeford Rd, Fayetteville, NC 28305
(910) 387-9186
Riddle & Riddle Injury Lawyers – Greensboro Office
7B Corporate Center Ct Suite 15, Greensboro, NC 27408
(336) 516-9066
Riddle & Riddle Injury Lawyers – Jacksonville Office
3391 Henderson Dr, Jacksonville, NC 28546
(910) 455-5599
Riddle & Riddle Injury Lawyers – Garner Office
500 Benson Rd Suite 111, Garner, NC 27529
(800) 525-7111
Riddle & Riddle Injury Lawyers – Kinston Office
807 N Queen St, Kinston, NC 28501
(252) 397-8624
Riddle & Riddle Injury Lawyers – Wilmington Office
1608 Queen St Suite 12, Wilmington, NC 28401
(910) 889-4064
Riddle & Riddle Injury Lawyers – Winston-Salem Office
102 W 3rd St, Ste 1007, Winston-Salem, NC 27101
(336) 516-9042