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> In retrospect, the only thing that kept me out of jail was some good luck and an outstanding General Counsel

Is there no legal way for me as a non-lawyer to get a signed form from a lawyer saying that what I'm doing is legal? Then if it ends up to be illegal the lawyer could get in trouble rather than me. Or am I expected to know all the laws myself? And if a law is unclear, is there someway to ask for legally binding clarification from the government?

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Companies do this all the time - seek an opinion from outside legal counsel. It's a CYA exercise and demonstrates intent to not violate the law. It certainly isn't blanket protection, a company can still be fined or leadership jailed for violating the law.

I assume if you did this as a person, not a company, it could be taken into account in sentencing - it may support the idea that you didn't intent to violate the law.

But a lawyer going to jail instead of you? Why would a lawyer agree to that? There is no benefit to them.

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