2023 Diversity and Inclusion Award Nomination Form

Nominee Information

Nominator’s Information

How do you know the Nominee

Synopsis

A one-page synopsis must be attached to this nomination form. The synopsis should clearly identify the qualifications & attributes of the nominee.

Diversity & Inclusion Award Committee

C/O Access to Justice, Inc.

111 W. Capitol Ave. #1 Pierre, SD 57501

Nominations must be received by Friday, March 31 , 2023.

Aman attempted to rape a county employee inside of a courthouse bathroom. A criminal defendant who was scheduled to appear in court to enter a guilty plea on drug and weapon charges started a gun battle with a sheriff’s deputies outside of the courthouse. A person who was upset over the possibility of having his parental rights terminated shot and killed a state employee who was the main witness in the termination case. This incident also happened just outside of the courthouse.

Stories such as these are not one-offs. They are shared to underscore the reality that courthouse security throughout the US is more than a hypothetical concern. Now, suppose the lawyers who represented these individuals were aware that their clients may be a threat to someone. Would they have an ethical obligation to disclose what they know, or must they remain quiet? If disclosure is necessary, to whom do they disclose?

To answer these questions, we need to turn to the ABA Model Rules of Professional Conduct (MRPC). Consider MRPC 1.6(b)(1) from which we learn that a lawyer may, but is not obligated to, reveal information