I am a criminal defense lawyer and my client has given me a gun that apparently was used in the commission of a crime. I would like to have the gun tested for fingerprints and whether it was recently fired. I also would like to have the gun cleaned. Can I do so?
Samuel C. Stretton.
The answer to the question is no. If you do so, you may not be practicing law much longer. Lawyers should know that when they receive evidence of a crime, they cannot alter or change it. In fact, a lawyer should not take evidence from a crime scene if the lawyer should happen to find it. A lawyer can’t change the evidence or tamper with it in any way, shape or form.
