Can a Lawyer Go Against Their Client's Wishes? The Supreme Court Will Decide

The Supreme Court is deliberating a case that could fundamentally reshape the relationship between an an attorney and their client. 

The case, McCoy v. Louisiana, looks at a decision made by Louisiana criminal defense attorney Larry English in 2010. English was representing Robert McCoy, who was charged with killing his mother-in-law, her husband and her 17-year-old grandson. He insisted he was innocent, but English told the jury he was "crazy" — and guilty. English says he did it to save his client's life.

The jury sentenced McCoy to death.

On Wednesday, the Court heard arguments about whether English's overturning of his client's wishes violated McCoy's sixth amendment right to counsel.

English, who now lives in Harlem and is the head of airrail, an infrastructure consulting firm, was there.

"I don't think there's a wrong decision. I don't think there's a right decision," English told WNYC's Jami Floyd. He added that whatever the court decides will have important ramifications. "Lawyers have tremendous power. If the lawyer has a right to override a client's will, some lawyers will abuse that."

Though he stands by the choice he made, English confessed if he had a seat on the Supreme Court, he'd rule for a new chance for his client.

"If I had a vote on that court, I would vote to give Mr. McCoy a new trial. To me, it's not even an issue."