Which statement about attorney-client communications is correct?

• A. They are privileged and protected from compelled disclosure.
• B. They are publicly accessible.
• C. They can be disclosed without client consent if necessary.
• D. They require a court order to be disclosed.

Answer: (A)

Attorney-client communications are protected by privilege, meaning they are confidential and protected from compelled disclosure. This confidentiality is essential so a client can speak openly and honestly with their lawyer, allowing the attorney to provide accurate and effective legal advice. The privilege generally belongs to the client, who can decide to waive it, typically only with the client’s consent, unless a narrow exception applies. There are limited situations where disclosure may occur—such as a crime-fraud exception or other statutory or ethical limits—but these are exceptions, not the default rule. Because of this protection, these communications are not publicly accessible and cannot be disclosed simply because someone thinks it’s necessary; a court can compel disclosure only under specific, legally defined circumstances.