Georgia Upholds Right To Conflict- Free Defense Counsel

The Georgia Supreme Court has issued an opinion approving the conclusion of the State Bar Formal Advisory Opinion Board concluding that it is impermissible for attorneys employed in the circuit public defender office to represent co-defendants when a single lawyer would be prohibited from doing so.

The court found that the board’s opinion was correct in light of the constitutional right to conflict-free counsel and the construction of Georgia’s ethical rule concerning imputed conflicts. (Mike Frisch)