May a Missouri lawyer report a client's threats of bodily harm to law enforcement?

Plain-English summary

Threatening voice messages are information related to the representation and therefore confidential. Rule 4-1.6(b)(1) permits disclosure without consent only to prevent reasonably certain death or substantial bodily harm.

Reasonable certainty includes imminent harm or a present substantial threat of later harm if the lawyer does not take necessary action. The lawyer uses professional judgment on all circumstances, and any report is limited to what is reasonably necessary. Choosing not to report does not violate Rule 4-1.6.

Rule 4-1.14 may permit other protective action if the client has diminished capacity and cannot act in the client's own interest.

In practice

Under this opinion, the exception is permissive and purpose-limited. The existence and scope of a report turn on the lawyer's reasonable belief about the threatened harm.

Common questions

Q: Are the threats confidential?

A: Yes.

Q: When may the lawyer report without consent?

A: When reasonably necessary to prevent reasonably certain death or substantial bodily harm.

Q: Must the lawyer report?

A: No. Rule 4-1.6 permits but does not require it.

Background and rules framework

Rule 4-1.6 and Comments [6], [12], and [13] govern the harm exception and disclosure limit. Rule 4-1.14 addresses diminished-capacity protection.

Citations and references

Rules of Professional Conduct:

• Missouri Rules 4-1.0(e), 4-1.6(b)(1), and 4-1.14
• Missouri Rule 4-1.6 Comments [6], [12], and [13]

See also

• Missouri Informal Op. 2020-03: Client Suicide Threat
• Missouri Informal Op. 2020-27: Diminished-Capacity Discharge

Source

• Landing page: Missouri Informal Opinion 2019-05

Original opinion text

Reproduced from the official source for research purposes. The linked source is authoritative.

Question: Attorney’s Client has left Attorney voice mail messages that can be interpreted as containing threats of bodily harm against Attorney and others. May Attorney report the threats to law enforcement?

Answer: The fact that Client has left threatening voice mail messages with Attorney is information related to the representation governed by Rule 4–1.6, Confidentiality of Information. Attorney is not permitted by Rule 4–1.6 to report the threats to law enforcement unless Client gives informed consent to the report or Attorney is revealing the information to the extent Attorney reasonably believes necessary to prevent death or substantial bodily harm reasonably certain to occur, in accordance with Rule 4–1.6(b)(1). Comment [6] to Rule 4–1.6 provides guidance that “such harm is reasonably certain to occur if it will be suffered imminently or if there is a present and substantial threat that a person will suffer such harm at a later date” if Attorney fails to take necessary action to eliminate the threat. The decision as to whether Attorney reasonably believes disclosure to law enforcement is necessary to accomplish the purpose specified in Rule 4–1.6(b)(1) will require the use of Attorney’s professional judgment in light of all the circumstances known to Attorney. Any report to law enforcement should be no greater than Attorney reasonably believes necessary to accomplish the purpose under Rule 4–1.6(b)(1). See Comment [12]. A decision by Attorney not to report the threats would not violate Rule 4–1.6. See Comment [13]. If Attorney believes Client is suffering from diminished capacity because of mental impairment, or for some other reason, Attorney should review Rule 4–1.14, Client With Diminished Capacity. Rule 4–1.14 may permit Attorney to take other reasonably necessary protective action to protect Client from substantial physical, financial, or other harm if Client is unable to act in his or her own interest.