question about lawyers and testifying before grand juries

[unblock]

my understandings is that if you're testifying before a grand jury but you not a target of its investigation, your lawyer is not permitted in the room.

yet, there are plenty of legal issues that you might face as a result of your testimony, most notably perjury charges from conflicting testimony. a lawyer would be in a position to advise you of the risks and to point out rights relating to amending earlier testimony or pointing out the need to elaborate a response to avoid giving an appearance of false testimony, etc. i'm sure there are a ton of similar issues.

so, why are you not permitted a lawyer, when a lawyer can be at your side at any other situation in your life?

[Geoff R. Casavant]

1. Short answer -- because those are the rules

The criminal procedure rules say no attorneys in the GJ chamber itself, and SC has long ago ruled there is not 6th Amdt. right to counsel in a GJ context. Your attorney usually waits in the next room, and you are permitted to excuse yourself, go outside, and discuss things there.

[unblock]

2. so, you could excuse yourself after each and every question?

that seems silly.