Section 32.1 Introduction

• Library: Criminal Practice 2012 Supp

I. (§32.1) Introduction

The ethical requirements of the legal profession are set out in Rule 4 of the Missouri Rules of Professional Conduct. The Rules are available online at:

www.osca.state.mo.us

The primary purpose of the Rules of Professional Conduct and legal ethics is to maintain the integrity of the law profession and to protect the public. In re Wendt, 544 S.W.2d 3 (Mo. banc 1976); In re Miller, 568 S.W.2d 246 (Mo. banc 1978). Rule 4 consists of ten subdivisions, each with numbered subparts and lettered subdivisions. The Rules are prefaced by a preamble and a statement of the scope of the Rules providing a general orientation. Each of the Rules is followed by a Comment, which is intended as a guide to interpretation, but the text of the Rule is the authoritative requirement. The Comments are followed by Code comparisons to the ABA Model Code of Professional Responsibility. These Code comparisons have not been adopted and do not constitute a part of the Rules and comments.

The Code is supplemented by court interpretations and formal and informal opinions issued by The Advisory Committee and Missouri’s Legal Ethics Counsel. But see the unpublished separate opinion of Judge Blackmar in In re EC 8-8, Rule 4 (Mo. banc Nov. 29, 1983), discussing formal and informal opinions. The Legal Ethics Counsel is available for contact by members of The Missouri...