Explain the Significance of Nix V. Whiteside

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The Answer is In Nix v. Whiteside (1986), the U.S. Supreme Court considered how an attorney should handle a situation where he or she knows that a client intends to commit perjury while testifying in his or her own defense. While all nine justices agreed that Whiteside's rights were not violated and also agreed that defense counsel should do all that he or she can to dissuade a client from committing perjury, only five justices joined in the majority's suggestions for dealing with potential client perjury. Chief Justice Burger wrote for the majority that an attorney faced with such a situation must reveal his or her client's conduct to the court and, if necessary, withdraw his or her representation. Under no circumstances should the lawyer permit or assist his or her client in giving false testimony.

Explain the Significance of Nix V. Whiteside

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