People v. Appel

OPINION OF THE COURT

Main, J.

At issue in this case is the so-called ethical dilemma faced by defense attorneys when a client expresses a desire to perjure himself. Here, defendant, charged with robbery in the first degree, was offered a plea bargain of six months in jail and five years of probation in exchange for his plea of guilty to a class D felony and his testimony against his codefendant. Although he insisted upon his and his codefendant’s innocence, defendant expressed a desire to accept this plea agreement. Defense counsel, however, informed defendant that he could not accept the plea…