Marc Boccaccini is a doctoral student in Clinical Psychology at the University of Alabama.
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Article
Attorney–client trust among convicted criminal defendants: preliminary examination of the attorney–client trust scale
Article first published online: 17 APR 2002
DOI: 10.1002/bsl.469
Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Issue
1099-0798/asset/cover.gif?v=1&s=27cb3cb3b3e789b2519ed5b84bdb198bf5ddfb33 "Behavioral Sciences & the Law")
Behavioral Sciences & the Law
Special Issue: Current Directions
Volume 20, Issue 1-2, pages 69–87, January - April 2002
Additional Information
How to Cite
Boccaccini, M. T. and Brodsky, S. L. (2002), Attorney–client trust among convicted criminal defendants: preliminary examination of the attorney–client trust scale. Behav. Sci. Law, 20: 69–87. doi: 10.1002/bsl.469
Publication History
- Issue published online: 17 APR 2002
- Article first published online: 17 APR 2002
- Abstract
- References
- Cited By
Abstract
The current study describes the development of the Attorney–Client Trust Scale (ACTS), a measure designed to assess a client's trust in his or her attorney. A sample of 307 male inmates completed the ACTS and provided information about their most recent case and attorney. Low ACTS scores were associated with having a court-appointed attorney, going to trial, and receiving a lengthy prison sentence. High ACTS scores were related to satisfaction with sentences and attorneys. In addition, findings suggest that perceptions about attorneys' interpersonal skills were as important as perceptions about legal skills in forming opinions about overall lawyering ability. It is recommended that attorneys employ a well rounded assortment of interpersonal skills to foster their clients' trust and to make better use of the limited amount of time they have to spend with clients. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.