Conduct in the presentation of a witness, C2S10 CPRA

Section 10, Canon II SECTION 10. Conduct in the presentation of a witness. - A lawyer shall avoid all forms of impropriety when presenting or confronting a witness. A lawyer shall not coach, abuse, discriminate against, or harass any witness, in or out of the court, tribunal, or other government agency, or talk to a witness during a break or recess in the trial, while a witness is still under examination. Neither shall a lawyer direct, assist, or abet any misrepresentation or falsehood by a witness. (2023 Code of Professional Responsibility and Accountability or CPRA) 1. Conduct in the presentation of a witness a. Avoid all forms of impropriety Impropriety – means “an improper or indecorous act or remark,” “the quality or state of being improper.” (Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary) A lawyer must conduct himself with great propriety, and his behavior should be beyond reproach anywhere and at all times. For, as officers of the courts and keepers of the public’s faith, they are burdened with the highest degree of social responsibility and are thus mandated to behave at all times in a manner consistent with truth and honor. Likewise, the oath that lawyers swear to impresses upon them the duty of exhibiting the highest degree of good faith, fairness and candor in their relationships with others. Thus, lawyers may be disciplined for any conduct, whether in their professional or in their private capacity, if such conduct renders them unfit to continue to be officers of the court. (...