Art. 415 Act of contacting or retaining an attorney

If someone is charged with a crime, the fact that they hired a lawyer or reached out to one cannot be used against them in court. Prosecutors cannot point to this and suggest it makes the person look guilty. Getting legal help is a normal and protected step, not evidence of wrongdoing.

There is one exception to this rule. If hiring or contacting the lawyer was part of a crime or fraud itself, then that information can be brought up in court. For example, if someone used a lawyer to help carry out a scam, that contact could become relevant evidence.

For most people, this rule means they can seek legal advice without worrying that doing so will be held against them later. It protects a person's right to talk to an attorney early on, even before charges are filed, without that choice being twisted into proof of guilt.