Opinion 76-4
FLORIDA BAR ETHICS OPINION OPINION 76-4 February 15, 1977 Advisory ethics opinions are not binding. An assistant state attorney who, in his official capacity, receives certain confidential information from law enforcement officers in connection with a criminal prosecution may ethically reveal that information in a relative civil action against the law enforcement officers. CPR: Canon 4; EC 7-13 Chairman Sullivan stated the opinion of the committee: An assistant state attorney acting in his official capacity receives certain confidential information from law enforcement officers in connection with a criminal prosecution. He asks whether Canon 4 of the CPR prohibits him from revealing that information in a civil action against the law enforcement officers resulting from the earlier criminal trial. We are of the opinion that Canon 4 does not prohibit the assistant state attorney from revealing such information in the civil trial. The state attorney represents the people, not the law enforcement officer. See EC 7-13.