Can a MA lawyer obtain CT records and statements for personal reasons, not professional, and is this legal?

Question

MA lawyer is a real-estate lawyer, wanted to get her hands on somebodys statement/legal records to "get dirt".... is this legal even though she isnt licensed in CT, or is she abusing her power?

Answer 1

It really depends on what she is doing it for.  Technically, a lawyer cannot practice 'outside' the state where she is licensed, but in my experience, I need to contact other states to talk to witnesses or doctors all the time.

If she is doing it for totally personal reasons then it shouldn't matter what state she is in because she isn't acting in her 'capacity' as a lawyer.

Yes, you can get a Pro Hoc Vice, but you usually need to be working with an attorney in the new state to get permission from the court.

Answer 2

First off public records speak for themselves.  they are records avaliable for the public to review free of charge, and copied at a price.

Lawyers can make a motion with a court and pay a fee, and be allowed to practice law in another state for a specific case.

I think it is called an Pro Hac Vice.

Answer 3

Depends. If they are public records then they are public records. The rest becomes irrelevant.

"So if she wasn't acting "in her capacity" as a lawyer, how might we go about dealing with this? (contacting the MA Bar, etc)" - If that is the case, she is simply a private citizen. The fact that she is also a lawyer changes nothing.