What are considered "confidential communications" in the context of Ohio attorney-client privilege?

In the context of Ohio attorney-client privilege, "confidential communications" refer to private discussions that the attorney and the client intend to keep secret from other parties. This privilege is designed to encourage open and honest conversations between clients and their attorneys, enabling clients to seek legal advice without fear that their statements might later be used against them in a legal setting.

When communications occur in private and are specifically intended to be confidential, they fall under the protection of attorney-client privilege. This means that they cannot be disclosed to others without the client's consent, thereby safeguarding the client's legal rights and interests.

On the other hand, public statements about a case or meetings held in public spaces do not qualify as confidential because they lack the necessary element of intended secrecy. Similarly, communications with third parties, unless they are part of a privileged communication or are made in the presence of those who are also part of the attorney-client relationship, are typically not considered confidential either. Thus, option B correctly identifies the essence of confidential communications within the scope of attorney-client privilege in Ohio.