Which type of communication is excluded from evidence on grounds of public policy?

Which type of communication is excluded from evidence on grounds of public policy?

• A. Communications between attorney and client
• B. Public speeches in the press
• C. Private conversations with friends
• D. Advertisements by businesses

Answer: (A)

The key idea is attorney-client privilege. This rule excludes from evidence confidential communications between a client and an attorney when the purpose is to obtain or receive legal advice. The public policy behind it is to encourage complete candor so lawyers can give informed, effective help; if clients fear disclosure, they won’t share all facts, which would undermine justice. The privilege belongs to the client and generally survives beyond the attorney’s or client’s life, unless it’s waived or confidentiality is broken (for example, by sharing with nonessential third parties). That’s why the correct choice is the attorney-client communications. They are protected because they are confidential and intended for obtaining legal services. Public speeches in the press are already public and not protected as confidential legal communications. Private conversations with friends lack any attorney-client relationship and are not protected for that reason. Advertisements by businesses are public communications and not confidential legal advice, so they aren’t shielded by this privilege.

The key idea is attorney-client privilege. This rule excludes from evidence confidential communications between a client and an attorney when the purpose is to obtain or receive legal advice. The public policy behind it is to encourage complete candor so lawyers can give informed, effective help; if clients fear disclosure, they won’t share all facts, which would undermine justice. The privilege belongs to the client and generally survives beyond the attorney’s or client’s life, unless it’s waived or confidentiality is broken (for example, by sharing with nonessential third parties).

That’s why the correct choice is the attorney-client communications. They are protected because they are confidential and intended for obtaining legal services.

Public speeches in the press are already public and not protected as confidential legal communications. Private conversations with friends lack any attorney-client relationship and are not protected for that reason. Advertisements by businesses are public communications and not confidential legal advice, so they aren’t shielded by this privilege.