There is no privilege under this article if the lawyer reasonably believes that disclosure of any confidential communication relating to representation of a client is necessary to prevent a criminal act that the lawyer reasonably believes is likely to result in the death of, or substantial bodily harm to, an individual.

(Amended by Stats. 2004, Ch. 183, Sec. 94. Effective January 1, 2005.)

Terms Used In California Evidence Code 956.5

  • client: means a person who, directly or through an authorized representative, consults a lawyer for the purpose of retaining the lawyer or securing legal service or advice from him in his professional capacity, and includes an incompetent (a) who himself so consults the lawyer or (b) whose guardian or conservator so consults the lawyer in behalf of the incompetent. See California Evidence Code 951
  • lawyer: means a person authorized, or reasonably believed by the client to be authorized, to practice law in any state or nation. See California Evidence Code 950
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