204 Pa. Code r. 3.10

Current through Register Vol. 54, No. 44, November 2, 2024
Rule 3.10 - Issuance of Subpoenas to Lawyers

A public prosecutor or other governmental lawyer shall not, without prior judicial approval, subpoena an attorney to appear before a grand jury or other tribunal investigating criminal activity in circumstances where the prosecutor or other governmental lawyer seeks to compel the attorney/witness to provide evidence concerning a person who is or has been represented by the attorney/witness.

Comment:

(1) It is intended that the required "prior judicial approval" will normally be withheld unless, after a hearing conducted with due regard for the need for appropriate secrecy, the court finds (1) the information sought is not protected from disclosure by Rule 1.6, the attorney-client privilege or the work product doctrine;
(2) the evidence sought is relevant to the proceeding;
(3) compliance with the subpoena would not be unreasonable or oppressive;
(4) the purpose of the subpoena is not primarily to harass the attorney/witness or his or her client; and
(5) there is no other feasible alternative to obtain the information sought.

204 Pa. Code r. 3.10