Under Communications (PR), which statement best reflects the rule regarding statements that may prejudice proceedings?

Under Communications (PR), which statement best reflects the rule regarding statements that may prejudice proceedings?

• A. No statements with substantial likelihood of prejudicing the proceedings unless correcting false publicity.
• B. A lawyer may correct false publicity in the public domain to prevent prejudice to the proceeding.
• C. A lawyer may disclose confidential client information if it benefits the case.
• D. There are no restrictions on public statements about the case.

Answer: (B)

In this area, the idea is that public statements should not distort or unfairly prejudice a pending proceeding, but there is a legitimate use of speech to protect the process. The best statement reflects the permitted action: a lawyer may correct false publicity in the public domain to prevent prejudice to the proceeding. When misinformation is circulating, addressing it helps ensure fairness without disclosing confidential information or engaging in broader commentary. The other options stray from this balance: one implies you can only speak up to correct false publicity, which narrows the permissible conduct; one improperly allows disclosure of confidential client information for a strategic gain; and one asserts there are no restrictions on public statements, which isn’t accurate.

In this area, the idea is that public statements should not distort or unfairly prejudice a pending proceeding, but there is a legitimate use of speech to protect the process. The best statement reflects the permitted action: a lawyer may correct false publicity in the public domain to prevent prejudice to the proceeding. When misinformation is circulating, addressing it helps ensure fairness without disclosing confidential information or engaging in broader commentary.

The other options stray from this balance: one implies you can only speak up to correct false publicity, which narrows the permissible conduct; one improperly allows disclosure of confidential client information for a strategic gain; and one asserts there are no restrictions on public statements, which isn’t accurate.